Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Nikola Poposki addresses OSCE Permanent Council on political situation in country

VIENNA, 11 June 2015 – Nikola Poposki, Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, reaffirmed his country’s commitments to European and Euro-Atlantic integration in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today. He also emphasized that European Union integration was of vital importance for the country.

 “The country is facing serious political challenges, which must be addressed institutionally in accordance with the principles of democracy and rule of law,” said Poposki. “We are going through an internal political crisis which requires internal solutions.” He stressed that the events in Kumanovo were not linked to inter-ethnic issues, adding, “the events seriously challenged the stability of the country and the region itself”.

Following the June 10th European Commission-led meeting in Brussels, Poposki confirmed that political leaders had come to a preliminary agreement  on holding early elections by April 2016 and on implementing a roadmap aimed at strengthening confidence in the institutions and a return of normal political processes in the country.

Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council, the Serbian Chairmanship Special Representative on the Western Balkans Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann said: “The ongoing dialogue between the political stakeholders is a first positive development that should lead to restoring confidence in the country's institutions. The OSCE, in particular thanks to its presence on the ground, is ready to support the parties with the implementation of an agreement." 

It was further noted that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was very well placed to play a robust elections observation role.  Assistance could also be provided by the Mission to Skopje.