Hahn: There are moments when the EU leaders have to deliver, and not only your country

“It is a national goal and everybody in the country should understand that they should work on it. Certainly, there are discussions and negotiations, everybody should be aware about the final goal the destiny of the country and hopefully everybody supports the necessary measures which are still to be taken in order to achieve green light in October for starting negotiations,” Hahn said.

The EU Commissioner regrets that EU member states did not decide on opening accession negotiations in June, because you have achieved and delivered on everything, which was agreed.

“I am confident that on the basis of the EU leaders statement this decision will be taken in October. North Macedonia has worked hard for it and now it’s time for EU leaders to deliver. It is necessary to continue to implement reform measures,” Hahn underlined.

“North Macedonia worked hard and now it’s time for the EU leaders to deliver. There are moments when EU have to deliver and not only your country. It’s necessary to continue to implement the necessary reform measures. I am confident that on the basis of the EU leaders statement this decision will be taken in October,” Hahn underlined.

All parties and state bodies need to continue to show that determination to fight impunity and allow the rule of law to prevail. Efforts in this area have to continue to demonstrate as zero tolerance vis-à-vis corruption and organised crime. Member states are watching this process closely but above all it’s for the sake of the citizens that the functioning of the rule of law is guaranteed that it serve a society with institutions in which they can have trust, Hahn underlined.

“What is important for October is adoption of law on public prosecution which provides important guarantees for the rule of law. Now it’s time for all political parties to show responsibility in the interest of the country’s future and citizens. Everybody should focus on October to deliver on the necessary reforms in order to give further strong tailwind to the country and to next step, we want to see. The region needs this very positive signal in order to redynamise and reenergise the all accession and European perspective of all six countries in the region. There is a regional responsibility on top of country’s specific one and one should be aware about these opportunities and but also responsibilities,” Hahn said.

PM Zoran Zaev said that the country deserves to receive a date to open EU accession negotiations, because it has worked hard for the past two years. I am confident that in October, finally, after 15 years, will get the long-awaited date to launch negotiations. In the meantime, he said, we will continue to work on reforms so as not to give the EU an alibi for a different decision. He said that the government is open for cooperation with the opposition on all key issues important for the interest of the citizens and the country.

“Last year in June, the EU gave four concrete goals in our country – judiciary, fight against criminal corruption, security service reform, and public administration reform. The implementation of the set goals was confirmed in the EC report on May 29. Based on that report, the EU takes a decision. The decision was postponed for October for technical reasons due to the European elections,” Zaev said at the press conference.

“Until October we are to remain committed to sincerely and honestly wrap up reform processes although it is not necessary for us to continue with the same pace, with the same dynamics, especially in the end of the reforms of the judicial system. With the new draft law on public prosecutor’s to be a country that closed all the issues to get start date for negotiations,” Zaev said.

He told Hahn that in October we expect the EU to keep its promise and announce that the country can start EU accession negotiations.

“This will not only confirm our desire and expectations, but also the recommendations in the EC’s Report that North Macedonia is a shining example as well as in the conclusion of the EU General Affairs Council will revert to the issue with a view to reaching a clear and substantive decision as soon as possible and no later than October 2019,” Zaev said.”
During his visit to North Macedonia, Hahn will also meet President Stevo Pendarovski, DUI and VMRO-DPMNE leaders Ali Ahmeti and Hristijan Mickoski.