NEWS OF THE DAY: EU decides to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania
EU Ministers of European affairs today decided that North Macedonia should start accession negotiations without any additional conditions, reports MIA correspondent from Brussels.
Today’s ministerial meeting was held through a video conference – as well as the press conferences afterwards – at which it was decided for the conclusions harmonized at the ambassador level to be approved, namely, that North Macedonia has made sufficient progress to start negotiations immediately, while several additional conditions have been set for Albania in regards to the judiciary and fight against corruption.
“North Macedonia has accelerated its work since October, the Prespa Agreement has been adopted, the bilateral agreement with Bulgaria has shown an example to the whole region and that is an example that should pave the way for the country”, said Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Olver Varhelyi, adding that the country had also adopted the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office in conditions of a Technical Government.
The news from Brussels for the start of negotiations for EU membership is verification of the success of our efforts, the end of our 15 years of waiting after receiving a candidate status for EU membership and recognition for the results achieved.
This was stated by Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski at the joint press conference in the Government with Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov.
The General Affairs Council of the EU has temporarily changed its rules and procedures in order to be able to make a decision today at the meeting via a video conference on the start of the negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, said Andreja Metelko Zgombic, State Secretary for European Affairs of the Creation Presidency, at today’s video press conference.
STATEMENT OF THE DAY: Dimitrov: North Macedonia finally and unconditionally starts negotiations for EU membership
“Despite the extraordinary circumstances caused by the situation with the coronavirus, we especially appreciate that the EU found the time and will to credibly recognize what has been achieved so far. North Macedonia after 15 years in the waiting room as a candidate country and following the disappointments in June 2018, June 2019 and October the same year, has finally crossed the threshold and will be able to start the much- deserved next stage of its European path”.
This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov, at the joint press conference in the Government with Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski and Deputy Prime Minister for European affairs Bujar Osmani after today the EU General Affairs Council at the level of EU foreign ministers reached a draft conclusion for the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.
STATE OF EMERGENCY, DAY 6
Ministry of Health announced that 12 new cases of coronavirus have been registered in the past 24 hours in the country, of which seven in Skopje and five in Kumanovo. The total number of diagnosed coronavirus patients until 12 noon is 148 patients.
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The restriction on movement in the period between 9.00 pm and 5.00 am on the entire territory of the country in the past 24 hours, that is on March 23 and 24, was not respected by 133 persons, mostly in Skopje – 44, with 26 persons detained, appropriate criminal charges will be filed against 33 persons – misdemeanour charges, while 71 people have been warned.
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The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office – Kumanovo has submitted to the Basic Court in Kumanovo proposals for issuing a criminal order for three persons who have committed the criminal act – Not acting according to the health regulation during an epidemic pertaining to Article 206 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, announced today the public prosecutor’s office. The defendants in separate criminal legal events have not adhered to the measures for prevention and fighting against a dangerous infectious disease – coronavirus COVID-19 and have not complied to determined regulations and guidelines for preventing a contagious disease.
FLASH NEWS:
Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani assesses that today’s decision for receiving a date for EU accession negotiations is a fresh ray of optimism that will help us more easily overcome the coronavirus crisis, calling on citizens to be optimistic, patient and, above all, careful. We have succeeded, he emphasized, because we deserved it.
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The EU member states have reached a political agreement on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, announced EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate both countries. This also sends a loud and clear message to Western Balkan: Your future is in EU”, wrote Varhelyi on his official Twitter account.
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The Municipality of Prilep has distributed over 50 face shield in the Prilep City Hospital “Borka Taleska”. The protective 3D-shields are primarily intended for the staff of the Infectious Unit, as well as for specialists and other medical staff who are in direct contact with patients.
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Private health care institutions outside the network of health care institutions conducting intensive care and treatment, will be performing this activity in the network of health care institutions providing health care services to patients infected with coronavirus, decided the Government at yesterday’s session.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and Kosovo, this morning organized the return of 63 Macedonian citizens to the country, with one bus and 19 automobiles, who will be placed in mandatory quarantine, according to the measures for protection against the pandemic.
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At the Deve Bair border crossing point near Kriva Palanka, 40 persons have entered the country in the past 24 hours, who have been put in state quarantine, informed the Police station for border checking and surveillance, Regional Center East.
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Scheduling for coronavirus swabs to be taken can also be made through family doctors as of yesterday. If citizens have some of the following symptoms: dry cough, high temperature, fever or difficulty breathing, they need to first call their family doctor.
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As of tomorrow, unified national online platforms will be in function for distance learning from home for all primary and secondary students. The link to e-classroom is: www.eduino.gov.mk and is developed by the Bureau for development of education in cooperation with UNICEF following the example of efficient platforms for distance learning that are used in the region, primarily in Croatia.
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The Union of employees of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje today also reacted against the proposal of decreasing salaries. They point out that the salaries of the employees in the administration and education are small and insufficient to cover the basic costs and that such a proposal will be another blow to science and employees in higher education, having in consideration that before the Parliament was dissolved the announced increase of salaries was not realized.
Angela Petrovska
Translation: N.Cvetkovska
