Brussels, 18/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 17 September, on the sidelines of the high level Dialogue with Macedonia (FYROM), Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle shared his concern about the parties appealing to their ethnic base to the detriment of political stability in the country. Saying that it is “important that all political forces remain committed to European integration”, Füle went on that “the future lies in a shared vision” of FYROM. “The European Union and the OHRID framework agreement are two key elements of that vision and I encourage you all to participate in taking it forward”, he said. In the conclusions of the high level Dialogue, the Commission welcomes the adoption by the government of a stock taking report on the implementation of this 2001 framework agreement, which put an end to the ethnic tensions.
Progress in reforms. The conclusions of the Dialogue also highlight FYROM's progress since the Dialogue was set up in March. It is important to maintain the inclusive and transparent approach to take the reforms forward, the conclusions state. Since March “the Dialogue has acquired two characteristic features: commitment and partnership. Hopefully a third will be coming soon: full implementation of the achieved results”, Füle said.
The conclusions highlight the adoption of the proposals for the decriminalisation of defamation, for favouring freedom of expression and for improving the legal framework of elections. Measures have also been taken regarding the rule of law, for strengthening the professionalisation of judges, and for fighting against corruption. Preparations for important reforms to public administration have made progress, and measures have also been taken to strengthen the market economy.
The next meeting of the Dialogue will take place at the start of 2013 “to assess the outcome of the European Council and discuss the next steps in the accession process”, after publication of the Commission's follow up report in October and the December European Council. Greece is blocking the start of negotiations with Skopje due to a problem of the country's name. (CG/transl.fl)