Brussels, 21/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has called on the political parties in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) for responsibility and leadership in order to uphold the agreements of 2 June and 15 July. No agreement was found on 19 October on the issues still outstanding - such as the formation of a provisional government that should keep power until the elections in April 2016.
“The European Commission is disappointed and calls for leadership and responsibility by all political forces to implement their agreement in good faith. The agreement spells out a clear path forward”, Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, told EUROPE on 21 October.
Hahn was in FYROM on 19 October to facilitate the discussions. Despite a marathon 10-hour meeting, no agreement was found. At the end of the meeting, during the night of 19-20 October, Hahn underlined his disappointment. “I hope everyone will recognise the seriousness of the situation. Definitely this was not a good day, but I think (…) a deal will be reached. Political parties need to stick to the agreement of 2 June and 15 July, to keep the European perspective alive in the country (…) For the moment, leadership is required, responsibility and concern for the fate of this country”, he said at the end of the meeting, as reported by Macedonian media.
Hahn said his teams were remaining on site. “We can help you, but we cannot do the job of the political leaders for them”, he said. Discussion was due to continue within the working groups. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)