Brussels, 16/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - During his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday, the High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, welcomed the agreement reached in Macedonia under the process of decentralisation in the country. "Finding a positive solution to this sensitive and complex issue has undoubtedly required political courage and maturity" he declared, welcoming the work of Prime Minister Hari Kostov. Mr Solana now urges the political parties to make sure that the Parliament adopts the legislation "in due time to allow the local elections to take place as scheduled in October, which is vital to promote further progress towards European integration". The agreement reached on Tuesday (see yesterday's EUROPE) was criticised by a right-wing opposition party, which feels that the transfer of power to the local authorities boosts the influence of the Albanian minority (which represents a quarter of the population) and divides the country along ethnic lines, according to Reuters. Hari Kostov has rejected this view, stating that "Macedonia will remain united".