Brussels, 07/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 6 June, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn hailed the decision of President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Gjorge Ivanov to rescind the pardons he had granted on 12 April to politicians involved in the country's phone-tapping scandal (see EUROPE 11531).
On Monday, Ivanov rescinded the last 34 pardons he had granted, after already going back on 12 pardons at the end of May (see EUROPE 11561). This new decision should enable “justice to run again its course and the special prosecutor to continue important work”, Hahn tweeted. He regretted that “far too much time has been lost over the last year” and he once again called on the political leaders to return to the negotiating table and ensure the full implementation of their political agreements. This sets the priorities in terms of reforms.
Later in the day, Hahn told MEPs in Strasbourg at the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that he thought the situation was “still far from acceptable”. “We must continue our work, concentrate on implementation of the agreement, and adhere to this agreement”, he said.
On Tuesday 7 June, a spokesperson from the European External Action Service (EEAS), Maja Kocijancic, also stated that it was “more urgent than ever” for the parties to resume the negotiations and establish this political agreement. In her view, rescinding the pardons is only “one step” and others must follow. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)