COSAP conference: Macedonia must persevere in reform efforts

Macedonia must persevere in its reform efforts towards getting a date for accession talks, heard the 13. conference of Committees for European Affairs/Integration of countries within the Stabilization and Association Process of South-East Europe (COSAP) in Skopje on Monday.

Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said the country must use the EU accession process for a leap towards real European democracy and rule of law.

“We have learned the lesson at home, maybe we can work faster on reforms, but legal interventions are not the only aspect, a change of behavior is needed,” said FM Dimitrov.

Regarding judiciary reforms, he said some things have already been done.

“We have, in a way, dismantled the body that Priebe said was used for political-partisan pressure – the committee for determination of facts. We have discussion with the opposition the law on witness protection and other aspects, but the executive and the legislative powers will not be sufficient for a real reform if the judiciary does not assume responsibility. They will have to learn to avoid picking up the phone,” added Dimitrov.

According to him, there are obvious political and economic benefits following the Bulgaria Friendship Treaty, with the name issue next on the agenda.

“I must stress that legally speaking, this problem should not represent an obstacle for our European integration process, because Greece is legally obliged not to object to our integration by using the Interim Treaty name. This was the case in Bucharest in 2008 and the International Court of Justice confirmed that the Interim Treaty had been violated. However, we have a political problem, because we want to become EU and NATO allies with Greece, but allies cannot kick and accuse each other,” said Dimitrov.

He stressed this is a big chance for Greece too, because “the maturity demonstrated by Macedonia, which has replaced the superficial nationalism with visionary patriotism, thinking 10 or 20 years ahead, is a chance that must be used.”