‘I am delighted to hear that parties in FYR of Macedonia have come together in talks facilitated representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission and agreed on the establishment of a transitional government and a public prosecutor as well as early elections. This is a triumph for the FYR of Macedonia and for the PES member party SDSM who have long fought for the FYR of Macedonia’s democracy and to foster European values in the country. When I attended a rally in Skopje in May, I heard from the people that they wanted democracy, rule of law and transparent institutions, and I congratulate my colleague Richard Howitt MEP for his role in helping to set them on the path towards this.’
‘I am also pleased that a special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate the illegal interception of telephone calls which prompted the current political crisis. We supported our member party in their fight against this intrusion of freedoms and hope that this will see an end to it.’
The Chair of the PES Taskforce on the Western Balkans Kristian Vigenin also reacted:
‘This agreement will see FYR of Macedonia make progress in key areas including media independence and free and fair elections. I am proud of the key role played by our political family who supported the FYR of Macedonia on the path towards EU integration. We hope that with this agreement, free and fair elections will be held and a new government will be installed in the FYR of Macedonia in April 2016.’
