Early Elections in Macedonia by April Next Year
Aleksandra Dukovska
A daylong negotiation at the European Union Residence in Skopje ended with an agreement for possible early elections until April next year. European Union Commission on Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn announced the outcomes of today talks with the presidents of political parties in Macedonia. Mr. Hahn who arrived early in the morning in Skopje left for the United States, where he would discuss with members of the Congress. But before he departure Skopje, Mr. Hahn said, “we make constructive negotiations.”
Mr. Hahn talked on behalf the political party presidents and other representatives and announced the progress in the talks. Hahn announced, “necessary political compromise to make necessary balance between different powers and different groups of the society, and that’s why we have agreed to foresee a kind of transitional period.”
EU Enlargement Commissioner Hahn said the focus of further talks would be related to the elections and to the electoral list. The independence of the judiciary is important, and Hahn urged “to accept all the recommendations being given by the European Commission when it comes to the independence of the judiciary.”
“It is about sound electoral codes, it is about a revised voting list, it is about respecting the rights of minorities,” Hahn stated. EU Enlargement Commissioner explained the methodology for further work. “We have agreed to apply the methodology usually used when we negotiate the chapters 23 and 24. Also, we have yet no negotiations, but it is about rule of law, independence of justice, freedom of media etc.”
Neither of the participants in the talks gave a statement to the media. But EU Enlargement Commissioner Hahn addressed the pressing issue about respecting the rule of law, freedom of the media, rights of the minorities, and other issues that are key for further Euro-Atlantic prospects of Macedonia. The further talks will continue next week in Brussels.
European Union Commissioner Johannes Hahn on Enlargement Negotiations arrived in Macedonia trying to unlock the political dialogue with the members of the political parties of Macedonians. EU Commissioner Hahn meets with presidents and members of VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM at the residence of the Head of the EU Delegation in Macedonia Aivo Orav. Later, presidents of DUI and DPA arrived at the EU residency in Skopje. Nikola Gruevski, Zoran Zaev, Ali Ahmeti and Menduh Taci and their teams continue the discussions with EU Commissioner Hahn for overcoming the differences in the political dialogue.
Unofficially, Mr. Hahn arrives with suggestion for the political parties and the way to overcome the current political disputes in Macedonia. That suggestion could include possible opening of the Chapters 23 and 24 in the frame of the high-level accession dialogue. Those chapters are part of the 35 chapters each country candidate for EU membership is opening in the screening process to accommodate the regulation with the community acqui of EU.
Chapters 23 include judiciary and fundamental rights, while Chapter 24 is about justice, freedom and security. If accepted, the authorities in Macedonia would need to guarantee “elimination of external influences over judiciary, respect of fundamental rights, “ and at least “a professional, reliable, and efficient police organization.”
