Brussels, 15/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 15 February, reiterating European concerns about the political stalemate in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) since 24 December - which has led to the boycott of the European Parliament by the opposition (see EUROPE 10758) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle underlined that “it is now imperative for political leaders in Skopje to take responsibility and find a solution, demonstrating the maturity of the democratic institutions and putting the best interests of the country and its citizens first”. Füle stated that he was “frustrated by the lack of progress in putting an end to the political stalemate”, adding that the current situation “is putting at risk” the opportunity to make further progress on EU-related reforms and for opening the accession negotiations connected to the previous rounds of the high level accession dialogue and the December Council conclusions (see EUROPE 10750). The European Commission was due to present a report in April for the possible opening of negotiations.
Furthermore, Füle has decided not to confirm his visit to FYROM next week to discuss progress on the EU-related reforms as part of the high level accession dialogue. “In light of the current political impasse, I do not consider that my visit to discuss these issues would be appropriate at this particular time”, he said. This fourth round of the dialogue - which in the end will not take place - would also have formed part of the Commission's upcoming report, Füle stated.
The previous day, Füle had reiterated on Twitter that time is short for resolving the political stalemate before the Commission's report.
The heads of the EU mission, the NATO liaison office, the OSCE and the United States representation office in Skopje called on 14 February for “immediate steps” to resolve the current political impasse following the events of 24 December. “We strongly urge all sides to enhance the political dialogue (…), to focus on the country's strategic priorities, and to put the best interests of the country and its citizens first”, they said in a joint press release, adding that they are following the political developments “with increasing concern”. (CG/transl.fl)