Eurasia Press & News
Skopje – European Parliament’s resolution, adopted Thursday in Strasbourg, presents a victory for Macedonia’s diplomacy as its recommends launching of the country’s EU entry talks and free visa regime for its citizens, Vice-Premier for European Affairs Ivica Bocevski said on Thursday.
– Today, the Republic of Macedonia scored a small diplomatic victory as the (EP) resolution clearly says that bilateral issues should not prevent the accession of Balkan countries to the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, Bocevski said.
Today, EU has confirmed the European perspective of Macedonia, saying that the present status of the country is untenable, recommending a prompt start of EU membership talks and wrapping up of the visa liberalisation process, Bocevski said.
A total of 478 MEPs voted in favor of the resolution, 92 against and 42 were restrained.
The EP also rejected the request of Greek MEP’s for erasing the Article 12 of the Macedonia’s Progress Report, prepared by MEP Erik Meijer, which reads that bilateral issues should not hinder the EU-integration of Balkan countries.
