Skopje, 16 May 2023 (MIA) – There is progress, there is a feeling that things are moving forward, especially with regard to the adoption of constitutional amendments in accordance with the bilateral obligations under the agreement between the country and Bulgaria, but unfortunately, despite the political commitments of both sides for the future of North Macedonia in the European Union, there is still no common agenda for the necessary reforms. The political gap is deepening, and the necessary reforms are therefore backsliding, EU Ambassador David Geer told the meeting of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Tuesday. 

Geer noted that although the rule of law and the fight against corruption are crucial and essential in the EU enlargement process, there are many concerns in these areas in the country, which have been deepening over the past months.

"It is important to address shortcomings in the implementation of the relevant laws, thus ensuring the independence and integrity of judges. These issues have recently emerged through the situation in the Judicial Council, a body responsible for protecting and promoting these principles. Politicians and political parties should reject all attempts at institutional capture, and the Judicial Council and the judiciary have their own responsibilities and obligations. The retirement of judges also has an impact, so it is a priority to strengthen human resources both in the judiciary and in the prosecution," said Geer. 

He mentioned that the use of the 'EU flag' procedure to fast-track law amendments needs to be limited. In addition, he called for maximum involvement of the public in decision-making in the Parliament.

He welcomed the improvement noted on the country in the latest report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), but stressed that journalists must be protected against hate speech.

Secretariat for European Affairs State Secretary, Drita Abdiu-Halili, said they expect the screening reports as soon as possible, in order to maintain the focus and motivation for reforms both in the administration and in society as a whole.

"The screening report on the fundamentals ​​is the basis for the preparation of the three roadmaps - the roadmap on the rule of law with the action plan for minorities, the roadmap on the public administration reform, both as benchmarks for opening the cluster of topics, as well as the roadmap on the functioning of democratic institutions, including deepening the dialogue about economic governance and meeting the European criteria," she said.

Swedish Ambassador to North Macedonia Ami Larsson Jain welcomed the country's alignment with the EU's foreign and security policy, adding that it was a strong sign of the country's strategic commitment to EU membership.

Photo: MIA