The Fifth Western Balkans Civil Society Forum organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), concluded its work today with the adoption of a Declaration in which two items regarding Republic of Macedonia have been replaced. In the first part of the Declaration titled “The perspectives for the EU and the Western Balkans” it is recommended that reference be made to the recommendations of the European Commission on opening accession negotiations for Macedonia’s EU membership, “especially since recent events of violence in the city of Kumanovo demonstrate how fragile stability in the Western Balkans is”.

Furthermore, the Declaration of the EESC states: “The EU and the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia include the democratic civil society organizations in their efforts to solve the current political crisis in the country, by means of a structured dialogue which contributes independent and informed proposals in order to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and stability”.

High EESC representatives also announced that this EU body would direct attention towards events and processes in Macedonia.

These items in the Declaration are the result of the efforts of the representative of CIVIL, Xhabir Deralla, who presented the situation in the country, along with the demands and views of the Citizens for Macedonia coalition, to the representatives of the EESC and participants of the Forum. Furthermore, CIVIL presented its demands and proposals for future measures and processes that should be implemented in the country, which also build on the views of the Citizens for Macedonia.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an advisory body of the European Union, which involves representatives of various interest groups in civil society to participate with their studies, recommendations and advice to help the work of the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

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