Brussels, 08/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - CFSP High Representative Javier Solana welcomed the results of the 7 November referendum on the de-centralisation law in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The referendum was organised on the initiative of the main opposition party in FYROM, which considered that the law favoured the Albanian minority too much, whereas the government and the Albanian political parties called for a boycott. Result: Sunday, the turnout was less than 27%, when a 50% turnout was required for the referendum to be valid. In a declaration the Dutch presidency said that while it recognised FYROM's right to hold a referendum, any delay in de-centralisation (an essential element in the Ohrid Agreement of 13 August 2001, would "seriously compromise" Skopje's rapprochement with the EU (EUROPE 3 November p 6).
On Monday Mr Solana affirmed in a press statement that, "The result of yesterday's referendum is clear. It allows the country to continue the implementation of the decentralisation reform. It makes it possible for the government to embark on crucial economic and social reforms. And, most importantly, it shows that the citizens have chosen to maintain the course towards the European Union. With the application for EU membership, the country has a historic opportunity. All efforts should now be geared towards progress on the European reform agenda, including the Framework Agreement. As a friend of the country, I very much want it to succeed". Solana is expected in Skopje on Tuesday to talk about the latest developments with the Macedonian authorities.