Wednesday, 10 November 2010
MR. ERWAN FOUERE PRESENTED THE ANNUAL REPORT BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
The Special Representative of the European Union and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Erwan Fouere presented the European Commission Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia 2010 on the 62nd meeting of the Committee on European Issues.
The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Petar Pop Arsov, Chairman of the Committee on Eurean Issues and the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Joint Parliamentary Committee, the National European Integration Council and Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, Mr. Vasko Naumovski participated in the meeting.
The Chairman of the Committee for European Affairs, Mr. Pop Arsov noted that this Report is objective and gives a realistic image of the situation in Macedonia and should be treated as positive, since the European Commission again sent a message to start accession negotiations.
The President expressed his satisfaction that the European Commission has noted all the achievements that the Republic of Macedonia but also the remarks for the areas which require more attention in the future and expressed hope that Greece will show a positive willingness to overcome the name issue.
The Ambassador Erwan Fouere in its presentation of the Progress Report once again highlighted what was said in Brussels that the country continues to meet the political and economic criteria and is ready for launching accession negotiations.
Regarding the government coalition, it was stated that it was stable and that there is cooperation between the political forces. The progress made in terms of reforms in Parliament, police, judiciary, public administration and cultural rights and minority rights was welcomed by Mr. Fouere.
The Ohrid Framework Agreement remains the key element of democracy, the rule of law and evidence of continued inter-ethnic cooperation.
The Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, Mr. Vasko Naumovski expressed appreciation for the European Commission's objective report and repeated the recommendation to start accession negotiations, pointing out that this report is a positive indicator that the country moves forward in the process of fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and EU integration.
Ms. Teuta Arifi, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Radmila Sekerinska Jankovska, Chair of the National European Integration Council, Ms. Silvana Boneva, Vice- Chair of the National European Integration Council, MPs: Ms. Liliana Popovska, Ms. Ermira Mehmeti Devaja, Mr. Aleksandar Nikolovski, Mr. Andrej Zernovski, Ms. Hristina Runcheva, Ms. Vladanka Avirovik, Mr. Goran Misoski, Ms. Flora Kadriju Mr. Pavle Trajanov , the representatives in the National European Integration Council Mr. Tome Kolev from the Catholic Church, Mr. Mirce Cherkedzi Head of the Union of Chambers of Commerce participated in the debate on the meeting.
At the end of the Meeting the European Affairs Committee proposed the progress Report to be reviewed on the Session of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.