MIA came to the draft conclusions of the General Affairs Council that could undergo changes in the coming hours, before the ministerial meeting tomorrow at which Northern Macedonia expects the green light to open the first Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, said MIA correspondent from Brussels.
The introductory part sets the timeline for the opening of the first intergovernmental conference this year.
– The Council looks forward to holding the first intergovernmental conferences with the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible this year after the negotiating framework is approved by the Council, the draft conclusions read.
The EU Council then called for respect for bilateral agreements with Greece and Bulgaria in a spirit of trust.
Specifically for Northern Macedonia, the Council welcomes the country’s reform progress that provided the green light for negotiations in March 2020. Welcomes the holding of local elections, but also notes the gaps in the legal framework and calls for a comprehensive revision of election legislation in a timely and inclusive manner. .
Northern Macedonia welcomed the progress in the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organized crime, and called for joint work in this area between the government and the opposition.
“The Council encourages all parties to continue to deepen the reform momentum and to improve the constructive dialogue,” the conclusions read.
In the area of the judiciary, it is noted that it is now necessary to implement the existing legal frameworks and strategies in line with EU standards to ensure the impartiality and professional operation of the judiciary. Northern Macedonia needs to systematically implement action plans and human resources strategies for the prosecution and judiciary.
“The Council emphasizes the importance for the institutions concerned to follow the recommendations of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, which has been particularly proactive in preventing corruption,” the draft conclusions of the EU ministers said.
The EU calls on Northern Macedonia to strengthen freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.
Progress has also been noted in public administration reform, although additional efforts are needed. The reform of the security and intelligence services in line with NATO requirements is welcomed, but it is also stressed that parliamentary oversight should be strengthened.
The census is also noted as good news and the EU expects results in the coming months.
Finally, in the part of Northern Macedonia, the importance of good neighborly relations and implementation of the agreements with Greece and Bulgaria is reiterated.
From a formal point of view, these draft conclusions use the long name Republic of Northern Macedonia throughout the text, while for other countries in the region the short name is used. This is one of the demands of Bulgaria.
Source: MIA
