SKOPJE – After two days of informal and open dialogue with the Members of the European Parliament, political parties in North Macedonia achieved consensus on a comprehensive review of the Rules of Procedure, updating and clarifying key provisions, leaving only a number of outstanding issues that will be followed-up in the Working Group on Reforms.
The meeting took place on 22 and 23 June in the context of het Second Jean Monet Dialogue process.
As well as revising the Sobranie’s rule book, the political parties confirmed their commitment to dialogue and determination to break with past practices as well as their vision of making the Sobranie play the utmost effective role, by using all its democratic legitimacy, scrutiny and legislative powers in the pursuit of key reforms including the EU reform agenda.
Members of the European Parliament Ivo Vajgl, Eduard Kukan and Knut Fleckenstein, mandated by the President of the EP, stated: “It was another productive meeting with the leadership and political parties in the Sobranie, part of the Jean Monnet Dialogue process in support of the reforms needed in the EU integration process of the country. Political dialogue is the essence of any modern parliamentary democracy. The capacity for open dialogue and constructive engagement demonstrates again the country’s regional leadership, and will be an asset in driving forward towards EU membership.”
The Working Group on Reforms, established by the President of the Sobranie Talat Xhaferi, will now continue the work on the open issues related to the amendments of the Rules of Procedure. It will also follow-up on the topic of the internal security of the institution, started during the second Jean Monnet Dialogue.
There was also an agreement that the political leaders will start their work on the other two key topics related to the independence of the Sobranie – the Budgetary Independence and the Independence in Staff Matters.
MEPs Mr Vajgl, Mr Kukan and Mr Fleckenstein reiterated that the reform agenda has the full support of the European Parliament, including its Foreign Affairs Committee and the Delegation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The Jean Monnet Dialogue contributes to supporting Macedonians in their next step in the country’s progress towards EU membership, in particular following the unconditional positive recommendation by the European Commission, which is currently awaiting a decision by the Council.