EU to extend Erwan Fouere’s mandate with 6 months

The EU will extend the mandate of its special representative to Macedonia Erwar Fouere with other six months until the European External Action Service (EEAS), which will develop common diplomatic network, starts functioning, Macedonian Vreme daily informs.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has confirmed the news recently, while a couple of days ago the European Parliament has passed a declaration which envisages for the EU to have a common diplomacy in the future, which will protect the interests of all member states. 

Ashton determined the decision as a historic step in Union’s development.

The EU mission in Skopje declared it has not received official information about whether Fouere will stay in Macedonia after August, when his term in office expires.

“I really don’t know. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said no because my four-year term in office expires. But I am still here and I am happy about it,” Fouere said.

EU envoy in Macedonia criticises lack of political dialogue

EU Representative in Macedonia Erwan Fouere criticised the government and political parties Thursday (July 8th) for avoiding dialogue and delaying the reform process. At a meeting of parliament's EU affairs committee, he said that Macedonia has enough time -- ahead of the European Commission's next progress report in November -- to gain some ground. Fouere also called for strengthening the judiciary and public administration. Belgian Ambassador Mark Mickelson, who also attended the meeting, presented his country's priorities as the current EU presidency holder. He reiterated that each country will be assessed on its individual merits.