Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Olli Rehn's declaration concerning the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Declaration by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn concerning the parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia held on 5th July 2006

"I am pleased to note the report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), stating that the elections were generally conducted in accordance with international standards for democratic electoral processes.

I welcome the orderly electoral process, marking a further step in the consolidation of the country's democracy. The high turn out and the statements by party leaders were important signals of political maturity of the country.

However, I regret that in some municipalities there were still some incidents, during the electoral campaign and on the voting day. These incidents must be fully investigated and the perpetrators punished. Other shortcomings identified by ODIHR will also need to be addressed fully.

It is now important that a new Government is formed quickly so that the country can step up its efforts on the reform agenda to meet the Copenhagen criteria

The European Commission is fully committed to support the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on its road towards EU. We will actively support a reform oriented government. Substantial EU financial assistance is available to contribute to the efforts of the new Government to address the most urgent reforms. In particular critical reforms in the Police, the rule of law, the economic environment, the approximation of legislation to the EU laws and standards and the strengthening of the administrative capacity."

ABHaber 07.07.2006 Brussels

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