Macedonia’s Progress Mixed as EU Eyes Roma Inclusion
The European Union has released its latest report on Macedonia’s progress towards membership, highlighting both positive developments and lingering challenges.
Positive Developments
- Freedom of expression: The EU praised significant strides in freedom of expression, with an improved climate for media and decreased pressure on journalists.
- Relations with neighboring countries: Macedonia has strengthened relations with neighboring countries, particularly through the entry into force of a bilateral treaty with Bulgaria.
- Economic development: While key weaknesses remain, including shortcomings in the business environment and structural problems in the labor market, Macedonia has made some progress in developing a functioning market economy.
Lingering Challenges
- Roma inclusion: The EU highlighted the need for further efforts to address issues related to Roma inclusion, which remains a significant challenge.
- Economic reforms: Macedonia needs to make more progress in implementing economic reforms to strengthen its preparedness for membership.
- Name issue with Greece: Talks between Macedonia and Greece under the auspices of the United Nations have intensified in recent months, but the “name issue” remains a sticking point.
Additional Areas for Improvement
- Public broadcaster reform: The EU called for further reform of the public broadcaster to improve its independence and effectiveness.
- Business environment: Shortcomings in the business environment need to be addressed to create a more favorable climate for investment and growth.
- Labor market reforms: Structural problems in the labor market must be tackled to improve the country’s competitiveness.
Fundamentals First
The EU emphasized the importance of fundamentals first, including:
- Functioning democratic institutions
- Public administration reform
Macedonia has made progress in implementing urgent reform priorities since overcoming its deep political crisis following revelations of widespread illegal interception of communications in 2015. However, the period following early parliamentary elections in December 2016 was marked by a tense atmosphere and negative rhetoric from senior officials.
Migration and Refugee Crisis
The EU noted that Macedonia is in the process of negotiating with the EU on actions to be carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to handle the migration and refugee crisis. Efforts have been made to improve its legal framework and implement a resolution on migration policy.
In conclusion, while Macedonia has made some progress towards EU membership, there is still much work to be done to address remaining challenges and strengthen its preparedness for membership.