Strasbourg, 11/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by Romanian Socialist Cristian Dumitrescu and Latvian Conservative Juris Sinka, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe chose to break with a taboo and to systematically use the name of "Macedonia". The Assembly regrets that, further to a tricky compromise reached within the United Nations, the country in question is still called the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", and encourages both parties to find an equitable solution in the near future.
Considering that Macedonia has honoured its obligations and most of the commitments made during its accession to the organisation in November 1995, the Parliamentary Assembly has decided to close the follow-up procedure for this country. It congratulates the Macedonian nation for taking in refugees during the Kosovo crisis, for its moderation and its determination to maintain democratic stability and its cooperation with the international community. At the internal level, the Assembly welcomes the reforms implemented as well as the safeguarding of the fragile balance between the Macedonian majority and the minority of Albanian origin. It notes, however, that there is still much to be done concerning the judiciary system, respect of human rights by police forces, the fight against corruption and the independence of the press.