STRASBOURG – With 503 votes “for” and 113 “against”, today the European Parliament adopted the resolution on the European Parliament’s Special Rapporteur for Macedonia Ivo Vajgl, linked to the report by the the European Commission for 2016. 45 MEPs abstained on the resolution that recommends Macedonia continue its path towards European integration.MEPs welcome the formation of a new government on 31 May and urge it, together with all political parties, to restore confidence in the country and its institutions. They also call on the new government to maintain efforts towards EU integration and fully commit to robust reforms in the areas of rule of law, justice, corruption, fundamental rights, home affairs and good neighbourly relations.
“Once there is tangible progress in implementing the 2015 Pržino agreement and on urgent reform priorities, the European Parliament will support opening EU accession negotiations”, reads the resolution.
Looking back to 2016, MEPs regret that Skopje is continuing to backslide in the reform of its judiciary and deplore recurrent political interference in the appointment and promotion of judges and prosecutors. MEPs are also concerned about the political attack against and obstructions to the work of the Special Prosecutor’s Office.
“The Parliament has taken positive note of Macedonia’s progress towards EU membership. The new government has committed to important reforms, which enabled the country to hold transparent elections and overcome a protracted political crisis. Macedonia should now accelerate the process of adopting EU standards, values and principles, thus also contributing to the stability in the Western Balkans”, Vajgl said.