Statement by Commissioner Štefan Füle following the meeting with Zoran Zaev, President of SDSM in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Hoofdinhoud

European Commission

Statement

Brussels, 5 June 2014

Statement by Commissioner Štefan Füle i following the meeting with Zoran Zaev, President of SDSM in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Commissioner Štefan Füle met today with Zoran Zaev, President of SDSM, the main opposition party in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In the aftermath of the recent elections, they discussed the repeated OSCE/ODIHR recommendations in relation to biased media coverage and the lack of separation between state and party activities. In this context, the Commissioner stressed that the new government has a clear responsibility to address these shortcomings, and those repeatedly highlighted in the Commission's progress reports, as a matter of urgency.

Commissioner Füle called on the opposition to engage in Parliament, as the best way also to address its concerns and contribute to the reforms necessary for the country. Walking out of the democratic institutions weakens them; strong democratic institutions are in the interest of the country.

The Commissioner reiterated the Commission's continued support for the country's efforts on its path to EU integration.

Contacts :

Peter Stano (+32 2 295 74 84)

Anca Paduraru (+32 2 296 64 30)

For the public: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by e­mail