http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 14964 16 September 2019 Post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia Report1 Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) Co-rapporteurs: Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN, Norway, Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group, and Mr Aleksander POCIEJ, Poland, Group of the European People's Party Summary North Macedonia has undergone significant political changes in recent years: the Pržino Agreements signed in 2015 and 2016 by the main political parties have solved a long political crisis and led to political alternation. In addition, an Office of the Special Prosecutor was tasked with investigating possible serious malfunctions which seemed to come to light in illegally intercepted telephone conversations. The Monitoring Committee also welcomes the Prespa Agreement signed in 2018 with Greece, which resolved the name issue and re-launched the accession negotiations with NATO and the European Union – a strategic and consensual objective in the country. The committee notes important progress made by the country to restore the rule of law. In particular, it welcomes the legislation adopted regarding the judiciary and the fight against corruption but insists on their full implementation. In this context, the committee proposes that the Assembly continues the post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia, and asks the authorities, in particular, to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, the consolidation of its electoral framework, and the pursuit of inclusive policies aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minorities. 1. Reference to Committee: Resolution 1115 (1997). F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex |
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