15/07/2015 Monitoring
Lise Christoffersen (Norway, SOC) and Valeriu Ghiletchi (Republic of Moldova, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs for post-monitoring dialogue with “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, have welcomed the agreement reached today by the country’s four main political parties.
“This agreement is an important step towards ending the political crisis, including the parliamentary boycott by the main opposition party, which has impeded the good functioning of democratic institutions since the last parliamentary elections in April 2014. We commend all parties for the political compromise reached, as well as EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and members of the European Parliament, for facilitating this process.”
“We now call on all political leaders to implement this agreement in good faith, show political maturity in the interest of their citizens, and ensure that the early elections planned for 24 April 2016 are well prepared. The appointment of a special prosecutor, in agreement with all parties, to investigate the illegally-taped conversations should also help rebuild confidence in this institution.”
“We believe that this agreement could help the country tackle pressing systemic issues that need to be thoroughly examined, including electoral reform, proper functioning of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, freedom of the media and de-politicisation of public administration, as required by the Assembly in its previous resolutions and statements. In this respect, our Assembly is at the full disposal of the authorities to provide all assistance needed.”