Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn officially launched the process of analytical examination of the acquis – better known as “screening” – with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) (see EUROPE 12062) in Skopje on Tuesday 17 July.
“The screening is a thorough and detailed exercise, which is conducted by the Commission. We are starting these preliminary activities now to prepare to start negotiations in June 2019”, he stated in a press conference with FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. The General Affairs Council will decide next June whether accession negotiations should be opened (see EUROPE 12049). Hahn said the screening exercise would allow the FYROM authorities to further familiarise themselves with EU legislation and the Commission to evaluate the country’s preparedness, with particular focus on Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security).
The commissioner stated that, in addition to implementing the agreement on its name, the country had to continue its reforms (see EUROPE 12052). He called on all parties and institutions, therefore, to engage in a constructive way to “continue to deepen the current reform momentum, especially on rule of law, reform of the intelligence services and public administration”. He made clear that these areas will be closely monitored by the EU. Before the National Council for EU Integration, Hahn also highlighted the fight against corruption. “Some of these reforms are complementary to those required during the NATO accession talks”, he stated (see EUROPE 12061).
“The autumn referendum (on the country’s name) will be an important moment for your future. ... It is crucial that as many people as possible exercise their democratic rights through their votes”, he stressed. Speaking to the press, he said that the door to the EU’s was open, but it was up to the people “to decide” whether they wanted to seize “this opportunity”. “I strongly encourage the citizens to exercise their democratic rights and participate in the referendum, in particular the youth”, he said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)