BRUSSELS – Brussels today again urged Macedonian political leaders to return to the negotiating table and create conditions for credible elections. They also stressed that the coming weeks are crucial for the European future of the country.
“Yesterday the Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As expressed by the HR/VP Federica Mogherini, there was “a very clear unity among the Member States in the need to have the country’s political leadership engaging in an open dialogue, the implementation of the 2015 Pržino agreement and creating the conditions for credible elections, develop rule of law, support the works of the Special Prosecutor and implement the Urgent Reform Priorities”, stated Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the European Commission.
The spokesperson, however, did not specify whether at yesterday’s meeting sanctions against Macedonia were discussed, even though Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias publicly stated that at the meeting he opposed the introduction of sanctions on Macedonia on the grounds that it would be counter-productive to the country.
“The political crisis has begun to have negative consequences on the country and its Euro-Atlantic future. This is not business as usual and any further inaction will have consequences. Concrete results and robust reforms in the coming weeks will be the key to whether the European Commission will repeat its recommendation in the next annual report”, said Maja Kocijancic.