site.btaEU Ambassador David Geer Says EC Report on North Macedonia Honest and Fair

The European Commission's report on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia is honest and fair and aims to present a clear and objective assessment, as well as to encourage the authorities, state institutions and all political stakeholders to do much more to move reforms forward in the interest of the citizens and of the country's progress towards EU membership, the EU Ambassador to Skopje, David Geer, said at Thursday's presentation of the 2023 Report with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bojan Marichikj.

Geer said that alongside the areas in which North Macedonia has made progress - the economy, the fight against organized crime, migration, aligning the country's foreign policy with EU common foreign and security policy, the report also identifies areas in which no or limited progress was made, including the rule of law, the fight against corruption, public administration reform and human rights. The report also expresses concern about political polarization, which has delayed the adoption of reform laws.

Marichikj said the report notes progress on 80% of the chapters. The government is familiar with all weaknesses and is working on them, he said.

The continuation of the negotiations, however, is not linked to this report, it is linked to the revisions of the Constitution, Marichikj said. He added: "It is time for a consensus and for showing in practice that we are in favour of the EU. Now is the time to seize the chance and step through the EU's open door."