Brussels, 10/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 9 April, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle and Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Nikola Gruevski called for the implementation of the political agreement of 1 March “as quickly as possible” following the events of 24 December (see EUROPE 10797). “Politicians created the crisis and they have the political responsibility to overcome its effects by implementing this agreement. They haven't done so yet - at least, not fully”, Füle said on the sidelines of the fourth high-level dialogue, which had been postponed due to political deadlock (see EUROPE 10787). According to Füle and Gruveski, the key elements of the agreement that must be dealt with urgently are the creation of a committee of inquiry, an agreement on the protocol agreement for cross-party commitment on European integration, and the creation of conditions and the taking of measures with a view to strengthening the trust necessary for the resumption of the dialogue with the media. “It is very important that all political forces remain committed to European integration and do not make it hostage of their political competition”, Füle warned.
Progress on reforms but effort still to be made. The conclusions of the fourth high-level dialogue on 9 April reveal that, although measures have been taken on virtually all the objectives set during the first high level dialogue on 15 March 2012 (see EUROPE 10576) with significant progress achieved and several objectives reached, the challenge in 2013 is to maintain the speed of reform and ensure continued and efficient implementation. Füle said that, despite the success, work continues and there is still much to do. During the first dialogue, five priority areas were highlighted - freedom of expression in the media, the rule of law, reform of the public administration, electoral reform and strengthening the market economy.
Füle and Gruveski stressed the importance of good neighbourly relations - including the issue of a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the name of the country. They said they hoped that the ongoing negotiations in the UN will be able to bring concrete results.
The European Commission will present its progress report on FYROM on 16 April with a view to opening accession negotiations.
MEPS support opening negotiations. On 18 April, MEPs from the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee called on the EU member states to open accession negotiations. In the report by Richard Howitt (S&D, United Kingdom) which they adopted by 39 votes to 13, the MEPs also call on Füle to assess the cost of non-enlargement - including the main risks if the current status quo continues. (CG/transl.fl)