The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes the formation of the new government in North Macedonia, approved on 31 August by the parliament. The country needs political stability in order to carry on the reforms and a pro-European government to prepare a roadmap for EU accession.  

The President of Renew Europe Group Dacian Cioloș, said:

“It is a good news that the new government in Skopje, led by Zoran Zaev, now has all the instruments at its disposal to continue the progress achieved on the European path by North Macedonia in recent years, as well as to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic consequences. I am confident that the government will fully engage with the accession negotiations, while ensuring that the process has a transformative effect on society by openly and transparently involving all stakeholders. 

The Renew Europe group has already expressed its unequivocal support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, and in particular of North Macedonia, and we will continue to support the enlargement process built on mutual trust, as well as clear criteria and commitments.”   

ALDE Party Vice-President Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP, European Parliament’s rapporteur on North Macedonia, added:

“The Republic of North Macedonia held fair and legitimate elections in an extremely difficult situation of a global pandemic. It is a very positive signal to see that contrary to many expectations, an agreement to form the new government was found in a short period of time.

The continuation of reforms on the country’s path to the European Union and the fight against corruption and organised crime as top priorities of the new Zoran Zaev’s government must be emphasised. I believe that one of the first tasks of the new government is to prepare a roadmap for accession on the basis of a broad political consensus in the country. In the meantime, the EU Council should adopt the final text of the negotiating framework without delay in order to convene the first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible.”