Brussels, 21/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) met in Skopje on 19 April to take stock of the worrying political situation in the country. The JCC condemned the recent intimidation by political authorities of civil society activists and called on the government to fully guarantee freedom of expression. The JCC also asked political leaders to return to the reform agenda, and to move towards a common strategic goal - EU accession - beyond any political rivalries. Taking part in the meeting were Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Vasko Naumovski, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Xhelal Bajrami, Peter Sørensen, newly appointed Head of the EU delegation in Skopje and Sandy Boyle, EESC Member, President of the external relations section.
The JCC is made up of 12 representatives of civil society from the EU and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (6 on each side) and meets twice a year. It is co-chaired Pirkko Raunemaa, EESC Member (Various Interest Group, Finland) and Lidija Grupcheva, Member of the Organisation of Employers of Macedonia (ORM). The next JCC meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels in October 2011. The main topics will be rural development and employment, and tackling corruption. (G.B./transl.rt)