February 28 (SeeNews) - The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on Macedonia's future government to fully commit to robust reforms in key areas, such as the rule of law, justice, and corruption, and good neighbourly relations, as well as to remain on the track to EU membership.
"Once there is tangible progress in implementing the 2015 Przino agreement and urgent reform priorities, the European Parliament is in favour of opening EU accession negotiations," the MEPs said as quoted in a statement published on the website of the European Parliament.
In their statement the MEPs voiced their concern over the lack of reforms in the judiciary and the political attack on the Special Prosecutor's Office. They also stated their strong disapproval of the recurrent political interference in the appointment and promotion of judges and prosecutors.
"It is of utmost importance for Macedonia to have a new government with solid support within the Parliament," MEP and rapporteur Ivo Vajgl said. "After the first failed attempt to form a government, the president of Macedonia should proceed according to the country's Constitution and in line with democratic practices, and give the mandate to the party that can pull Macedonia out of its political crisis," he also said.
The country's new government is expected to be formed within the next days.
Macedonia held early election last December, as part of a EU-brokered deal that aimed to resolve a protracted political crisis. The crisis began in January 2015, when SDSM's leader Zoran Zaev, then in opposition, accused the coalition government of VMRO-DPMNE and DUI of corruption, illegal wiretapping of more than 20,000 people and covering-up a murder.
In the December general election the conservative VMRO-DPMNE won a close victory against SDSM, but failed to agree with ethnic Albanian party DUI on the formation of a coalition government after talks stumbled over the official use of Albanian language in the country, among other issues. SDSM leader Zaev is now expected to form a government.
Macedonia obtained an EU candidate status in 2005 but its progress to membership has been blocked by a dispute with Greece, which objects to the use of the name Republic of Macedonia, saying it implies territorial claims to the northernmost Greek province of Macedonia.