The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, stressed, on Friday 17 March, that it is important for North Macedonia to continue its reforms and consolidate implementation.
“It is very, very important that the country does not slow down now, but speeds up its efforts to carry out reforms”, Mr Várhelyi stressed at the press conference after the Association Council, held for the first time in Skopje.
“We have been discussing where more efforts are needed [and], what tasks lie ahead – especially in the areas of Rule of law, judiciary and fighting against corruption”, the High Representative explained.
In the joint statement issued at the end of the Association Council, the participants noted the importance of further comprehensive progress in the areas covered by Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security). “Building on the progress already made, sustained efforts are needed to ensure the independence, professionalism, transparency and impartiality of the judiciary”, the statement added. The EU also encouraged North Macedonia to intensify investigations, prosecutions and final convictions in corruption cases, including at high levels.
The High Representative called as well for the creation of the necessary conditions for the adoption of Constitutional amendments. “This year is crucial”, he said, adding that it was not realistic to believe that the agreement reached in July could be reopened. “Now is [the] time for all political parties to exercise their responsibilities and work in earnest on advancing on this path”, he warned.
The Union also welcomed Skopje’s “full and consistent” alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including with regard to EU restrictive measures.
See the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/5w6 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)