Brussels, 08/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Boris Traikovski, has illustrated the challenges facing his country in the perspective of joining the European Union, in a speech to the European Parliament: strengthening the State of Law and fighting against organised crime, promoting economic and social cohesion and ensuring citizens' mobility in the EU. With this in mind, Mr Trajkovski is seeking pre-accession aid for the Western Balkans and is appealing for the setting up of a visa-free system between his country and the EU. The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, has pointed out that FYROM integration "depends on reforms and political commitment", adding, "You can count on our support".
Mr Trajkovsky reasserts the "very strong commitment" of his country to respect the criterion for EU accession and declared that he was convinced that the EU military mission, Concordia, launched on 31 March "will be a success". Mr Trajjkovsky indicated that in order to meet the main challenges and successfully integrate into the European Union, the would need to, "strengthen our legislation, our institutions and our border controls". He also recognised that their economic development, characterised by very high unemployment, notably for the development of the private sector. He also declared that European Commission aid for Romania and Bulgaria for catching up with future Member States, he supported the Presidency proposal to make "pre-accession aid also available to the Western Balkans". He hopes that the Summit of Salonika, "will allow the setting up of a supplement to the CARDS programme, together with structural policy instruments for pre-accession. The President also sought free movement for his citizens on EU territory as a visa-free system would, according to him, constitute, "aid to the democratisation process of his country". He concluded that, "More time and efforts will be needed for FYROM to become a member of the EU but I am waiting impatiently for the day where Macedonian MPs will be present in this assembly".