Eurasia Press & News
Politically, Macedonia has been performing well which might recommend it for exemption from the European Union’s visa regime, the European Union Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, was quoted as saying Wednesday in Brussels.
Skopje is very eager for a quick decision to lift the EU visa barrier that has been hampering its citizens and businesses for years from free movement in greater Europe. If Rehn gives the green light soon as Macedonia hopes, EU institutions could complete the whole procedure by the end of the year.
“The country has made a good progress in meeting all requirements for visa liberalization. The European Commission will soon announce its final assessment and will most likely recommend visa liberalization for the countries that meet the requirements,” EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, said at a joint press conference with Macedonia’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki, local Makfax news agency reported.
Rehn in that regard said that Macedonia is among the best prepared countries to the scheme.
After the March elections, which was seen as one of the key benchmarks for assessing Macedonia’s democratic credibility, went well, and the series of reforms made earlier by introducing integrated border control, biometrical passports, and other novelties to satisfy the EU visa requirements, Macedonia was encouraged that it was on the sure path to liberalization.
As regards to setting the date for the start of negotiations with the European Union, which has been postponed for three years by the EC, due to lack of reforms, Rehn said that there are now no new conditions laid down before Macedonia. Though more efforts in implementation of the reforms in the judiciary and public administration sectors, and in the fight against corruption are still necessary he stressed.
If all that happens, the EC could recommend a date later this fall.
However, Rehn strongly urged the government in Skopje to work on a compromise and solution to the burning name-issue with Greece, a neighboring country that objects to Macedonia’s official name and threatens to block the EU path of the country over it. Last April, Athens blocked Skopje from entering NATO.
Now that the Government in Skopje is stronger and more organized after the election, expectations are greater for their active inclusion in bridging the dispute with Greece, EU Enlargement Commissioner said. He expected this issue to be resolved until “the year’s end” Makfax quoted him.
