Brussels, 11/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - During the evening of Wednesday 10 June, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn announced that the discussions on the search for a solution to the political crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) had not enabled an agreement to be reached.
“The talks were open and detailed, but have not yet led to a final agreement”, Hahn said in a statement at the end of a meeting that lasted nearly 12 hours with the leaders of the four main political parties - Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (VMRO-DPMNE), Zoran Zaev (SDSM), Ali Ahmeti (BDI) and Menduh Thaci (PDSH). Other participants in the talks included European Parliament rapporteur on FYROM Ivo Vajgl (ALDE, Slovenia), head of the EU delegation Aivo Orav, US Ambassador in Skopje Jess Baily, and EEAS Secretary General Alain Le Roy. Hahn said on Twitter that he was very disappointed by the lack of responsibility and leadership of some people - but he did not go on to name them.
“The European Commission will now consider how to best contribute to the political process in the country and remains ready to facilitate discussions”, Hahn said in his statement. His spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, stated that while the Commission remained committed, there was currently “no meeting planned at the commissioner's level”.
The EU calls for lasting political compromise. Hahn maintained pressure on the political leaders. “The European Union urges all parties in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (…) - in the interests of their country and its citizens - to find a lasting political compromise without any delay and come forward with concrete proposals to this end, building on the agreements already reached in Skopje on 2 June”, Hahn added (see EUROPE 11327). He stated that the reform commitments contained in this agreement should “be implemented as a matter of urgency”.
On 2 June, the parties agreed on holding early general elections in April 2016. Kocijancic said that questions remain as to “the exact organisation of the government”, which is to prepare the elections. Zaev is calling for the formation of a provisional government while waiting for these elections to be held, but Gruevski refuses this.
“This is essential for the country to make any progress on the Euro-Atlantic path”, Hahn stated. He has already warned that if the situation does not improve, the European Commission will not be able to recommend in its October progress report - unlike for the past six years - that FYROM's EU accession negotiations be opened. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)