Progress: Procedure completed
Legal Basis:
RoP 132-p2Events
The European Parliament adopted by 548 votes in favour to 45 against with 35 abstentions a resolution tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
It commends the latter on the progress achieved since the last progress report, noting with satisfaction that, on the basis of that progress, the Commission has recommended opening accession negotiations. Parliament calls on the Council to confirm the Commission's recommendation without further delay at the summit in March 2010 and expects negotiations to begin in the near future . It notes with concern the Council's postponement of the decision on further steps in the enlargement process in respect of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which is liable both to aggravate political inter-ethnic tensions in the country and to have an adverse effect on stability in the region. It welcomes the new Greek Government's initiative of suggesting a symbolic, motivating target date of 2014 for the accession of Western Balkan countries to the EU and invites, in this context, the governments of countries in this region to make a sincere contribution to achieving this noble goal. Parliament stresses that the clear and timely prospect of EU membership continues to be the main driving force for the reform process in countries in the region, and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in particular. Unhindered progress towards EU membership is of the utmost importance for ensuring political stability, which is the common goal broadly shared by the country's political actors and ethnic groups.
Political developments : Parliament welcomes the broad consensus between government and opposition parties on the country's European vocation. This consensus and improved political dialogue have accelerated the passing of laws on EU integration. Parliament stresses, however, the importance of implementing such laws effectively. It commends the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on recent developments, noting progress in the fight against corruption, (which nevertheless remains prevalent), in the conduct of the presidential and local elections, in the field of the judiciary, in reforming the functioning of public administration and the police.
Members emphasise the utmost importance of improving inter-ethnic relations by continuing to implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which is the cornerstone of inter-ethnic relations in the country. They draws particular attention to the ongoing process of decentralisation, which is an important step in terms of helping the country to function better and improving inter-ethnic relations. Parliament calls on all municipalities to sign the memorandum of cooperation for the implementation of Roma inclusion activities between 2005 and 2015, along with the Strategy for Roma,.
It stresses the importance of the following:
· the development of independent and diverse media free from political interference, and the need to strengthen media freedom on an ongoing basis by applying European standards and improving transparency;
· the development of an anti-discrimination strategy (guaranteeing the equality of all people regardless of their ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation or disability). Parliament regrets that the bill for a comprehensive anti-discrimination law proposed by the Government on 28 January 2010 does not recognise sexual orientation as a ground of discrimination;
· further efforts to increase the currently limited participation of women in political life;
· the role played by civil society organisations in the country's ongoing transformation, in relation not only to the reform process and the fight against corruption, but also to inter-ethnic relations and monitoring of the human rights situation.
Economic and social situation : Parliament commends the government on the macro-economic policies adopted to counteract the negative effects of the global financial and economic crisis. However, it is concerned that the impact of the crisis will exacerbate the persistently high unemployment level and hamper efforts to bring it down. The authorities should do their utmost to shield vulnerable groups within society as much as possible from the effects of the crisis. Members point out, however, that the procedures for registering businesses and protecting property rights have still not been improved sufficiently, and that the education system is not well enough resourced to produce the human resources needed to develop the economy. Parliament expresses some concerns about the implementation of environmental legislation is moderately advanced, and reiterates its call for effective monitoring of water quality and water levels.
Regional issues : Parliament welcomes the new, more positive climate between the governments of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece following the recent elections in Greece. It encourages the two countries to redouble their efforts at the highest level, in order to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, and stresses that the EU should be ready to assist in the negotiation process. Parliament notes with concern the use of historical arguments in the current debate, including the recent phenomenon of so-called "antiquisation", which is liable to increase tensions with neighbours and create new internal divisions. It underlines the importance of reconciliation in the region, which are part and parcel of European values and encourages the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and neighbouring countries to engage actively in developing confidence-building measures in the fields of education and cross-border cooperation and generating a common understanding of history. The authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and neighbouring countries are called upon to avoid actions and statements which might adversely affect such efforts.
The “General Affairs” Council adopted a series of conclusions on the enlargement strategy of the European Union. They may be summarised as follows:
· welcoming the Commission communication on Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2009-2010 , the Council takes note of the conclusions and recommendations therein. The enlargement process gives strong encouragement to political and economic reform in the enlargement countries and reinforces peace, democracy and stability in Europe;
· the Council confirms that the EU will continue to help them to alleviate the impact of the crisis and prepare for sound recovery;
· it recalls that coherent implementation of the renewed consensus on enlargement which is based on consolidation of commitments, fair and rigorous conditionality, better communication and the EU’s capacity to integrate new members, continues to form the basis for EU action at all stages of the enlargement process, with each country being assessed on its own merits. The rule of law, in particular the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as strengthening administrative capacity, remains a major challenge which the enlargement countries need to address from an early stage of the process;
· it points out that the negotiating chapters for which technical preparations have been concluded will be opened or closed provisionally in line with the rules of an Inter-Governmental Conference, according to established procedures and in line with the Negotiating Framework;
· on the financial front, the Council welcomes the support provided to the enlargement process through financial assistance, in particular in the form of the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA), and emphasises the essential link between enlargement policy priorities and financial assistance.
As regards the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia , the Council welcomes the progress made in a number of important areas and that the country has substantially addressed the key priorities of the accession partnership. The smooth implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement should facilitate further steps. The presidential and local elections of 2009 met most international standards.
The Council also underlines the need to:
· continue the reform agenda;
· continue efforts to fight corruption and to ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary;
· maintain good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, remains essential. The Council is encouraged by recent positive developments concerning the relations between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Council notes that the Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and will return to the matter during the next Presidency.
Lastly, the Council is very pleased to have decided on the amendments to Council Regulation 539/2001, as it applies to Member States, so as to establish a visa free regime for the citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia starting from 19 December 2009.
Documents
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2010)2011
- Motion for a resolution: B7-0065/2010
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament: T7-0024/2010
- Motion for a resolution: B7-0065/2010
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2010)2011
Activities
- Michael CASHMAN
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- Hélène FLAUTRE
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- Ulrike LUNACEK
- Barry MADLENER
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- Gianni PITTELLA
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- 2016/11/22 2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
- Zoran THALER
- Luís Paulo ALVES
- Charalampos ANGOURAKIS
- Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ
- Zoltán BALCZÓ
- Zigmantas BALČYTIS
- Bas BELDER
- Luigi BERLINGUER
- Victor BOŞTINARU
- Emine BOZKURT
- Franziska Katharina BRANTNER
- John BUFTON
- Elmar BROK
- Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS
- Nikolaos CHOUNTIS
- Philip CLAEYS
- Giovanni COLLINO
- Marije CORNELISSEN
- Andrew DUFF
- Robert DUŠEK
- Lena EK
- Lorenzo FONTANA
- Marietta GIANNAKOU
- Kinga GÖNCZ
- Takis HADJIGEORGIOU
- Nadja HIRSCH
- Gunnar HÖKMARK
- Richard HOWITT
- Danuta JAZŁOWIECKA
- Jelko KACIN
- Ioannis KASOULIDES
- Martin KASTLER
- Metin KAZAK
- Evgeni KIRILOV
- Tunne KELAM
- Jürgen KLUTE
- Maria Eleni KOPPA
- Georgios KOUMOUTSAKOS
- Edvard KOŽUŠNÍK
- Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER
- Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU
- Eduard KUKAN
- Krzysztof LISEK
- Petru Constantin LUHAN
- Monica MACOVEI
- Bogdan Kazimierz MARCINKIEWICZ
- Kyriakos MAVRONIKOLAS
- Mario MAURO
- Willy MEYER
- Miroslav MIKOLÁŠIK
- Andreas MÖLZER
- Norica NICOLAI
- Raimon OBIOLS
- Kristiina OJULAND
- Wojciech Michał OLEJNICZAK
- Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN
- Franz OBERMAYR
- Siiri OVIIR
- Doris PACK
- Chrysoula PALIADELI
- Justas Vincas PALECKIS
- Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU
- Jaroslav PAŠKA
- Alojz PETERLE
- Bernd POSSELT
- Cristian Dan PREDA
- Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS
- José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA
- György SCHÖPFLIN
- Debora SERRACCHIANI
- Csaba SÓGOR
- Bogusław SONIK
- Alf SVENSSON
- Hannes SWOBODA
- Konrad SZYMAŃSKI
- Csaba Sándor TABAJDI
- Eleni THEOCHAROUS
- Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK
- Michail TREMOPOULOS
- Niki TZAVELA
- Traian UNGUREANU
- Ivo VAJGL
- Jarosław WAŁĘSA
Votes
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - AM 7 #
GUE/NGL
EFD
NI
ECR
Verts/ALE
ALDE
S&D
PPEB7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - AM 16 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - AM 4 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - PAR 31/1 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - PAR 31/2 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - PAR 31/3 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - PAR 31/4 #
B7-0065/2010 - Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine - RÉSOLUTION #
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