The Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) gratefully acknowledges that European Union member states broadly share the European Commission’s view that accession negotiations with Macedonia should be opened.

The SEA applauds the Council of the European Union’s conclusion that Macedonia sufficiently meets the political criteria for EU membership and that High-Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) will resume to address identified reforms, including implementation of the May 1 political agreement and steps and the open issues with our neighbours. As cited in the Council’s conclusions, HLAD has already contributed in most policy areas, including reducing court backlogs and the country’s fight against organized crime.

However, we regret the Council’s decision to not accept the recommendation of the European Commission to start negotiations with Macedonia for the fifth consecutive year because consensus was not reached by all member states.

“Although not a substitute to starting negotiation, High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) is an important platform for Macedonia to continue on its path toward European integration,” explains Dr. Fatmir Besimi, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, “the Government of the Republic of Macedonia anticipates the work ahead, accepts the EU’s financial commitment to Macedonia through the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) Assistance and commits to the HLAD process articulated in the Council’s conclusions.”

As already adopted in the Government’s 2014 annual action plan, work will continue toward the successful implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the Roma Strategy, additional steps will be made to safeguard freedom of expression and the role of the media in society.