Friday, 20 July 2010
The priorities of the belgian presidency with the council of the eu presented
At a joint session of the bodies working on European integration in the Parliament, among which the Joint Parliamentary Committee EU - Republic of Macedonia, the priorities of the Belgian Presidency were presented. Addressing on behalf of the EU, the Ambassador Erwan Fouéré asked that the Republic of Macedonia continues with the reforms in the field of administration, judiciary, the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and the strengthening of the political dialogue.
H.E., the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Marc Michelsen presented the five priorities of the new EU Presidency: the social and economic priorities regarding the financial problems of some countries in the Union, avoiding such cases in future by taking special preventive measures; strengthening of the social cohesion in all member states; protection of the environment with special attention to the combat against global warming; implementation of the Stockholm Programme in the field of justice and internal affairs, especially in the field of migration, asylum and combat against the organized crime and corruption; and last but not least, the enlargement process on which Belgium will actively work for bringing all aspiring countries for membership closer to the EU, including the Republic of Macedonia.
Parliamentary groups in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia expressed their opinions and expectatons. The social democrats expressed satisfaction for the enlargement priority by the current presidency and called the Government to continue with the reforms necessary for EU membership.
The JPC Co-Chair, Mr. Aleksandar Spasenovski, emphasized the importance of the enlargement priority of the Belgian Presidency in times when EU is entering into a new chapter of its existence, which is also of great importance for the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. The common approach towards the Euro-integration of Macedonia both from the parties of the position and opposition, the civil society and the citizens is a unifying force of our community. Mr. Spasenovski expressed reassurance that Macedonia will continue with the reforms and that within the frames of the Belgian Presidency will deepen the relations with the European Union, by which a clear signal will be sent that the place of Macedonia is in the EU.