EU urges Macedonia to continue reforms

28/07/2010

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The EU said on Tuesday (July 27th) that the reform process in Macedonia has gained new momentum, but urged the country to address some shortcomings in order to accelerate the integration process. EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said after a meeting of the EU-Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council that the European Commission (EC) still wants to open accession talks with Skopje. However, Brussels first wants to see more political dialogue between the ruling parties and the opposition, reforms in the public administration, guaranteed judicial independence, a bolder fight against corruption and improved human rights. Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki vowed that his country will continue implementing the necessary reforms.

In other news Tuesday, Croatia moved a step closer to the EU by closing two more negotiation chapters -- on food safety, veterinary and phyto-sanitary policy, and financial control. With these two chapters, the country has closed 22 out of 33. (HRT, HINA, Poslovni Dnevnik, Nova TV, MIA, Alsat M, Sitel, Makfax - 27/07/10)