Brussels, 23/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 23 March, the EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana called on the government of Macedonian Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski to do all in its power to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Macedonia were fair and free. “Government and opposition should spare no efforts to avoid the irregularities of past elections and to ensure elections in line with international standards,” said a press release. Mr Solana also encouraged Mr Buckovski to press on with the broader reform agenda, with particular attention given to adopting the legislative package on judicial reform and police law. “As a candidate country the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was expected to work even harder than before,” said Mr Solana.
On 22 March, Mr Solana met the Prime Minister of Kosovo Agim Ceku. He encouraged Mr Ceku's government to remain constructively engaged in the on-going negotiations on the status of the province, and called on Mr Ceku to accelerate his efforts to implement international standards and to work for a stable and multiethnic Kosovo. “We are very serious when we say we want the Serbs to stay in Kosovo, to be free, equal and safe and to really love Kosovo as their home,” said the Prime Minister of Kosovo, quoted by AP. “For a long time, there was a lot of talk and not much action. Now we have to do the opposite. The Prime Minister has said very clearly that's what he intends to do,” said Mr Solana.