Macedonia Fails To Meet Political Criteria for Starting EU Accession Talks - Rehn

In its 2008 progress report on Macedonia released in Brussels, the European Commission said the country has failed to meet international standards for free and democratic elections, referring to early general polls held in June.

The June’s election was marred by series of irregularities and violence, which left one dead and several injured. Incidents happened particularly in parts populated mostly with ethnic Albanians, which make up nearly 25% of Macedonia’s population

Presenting the report in Brussels, Rehn said that the country is working on fulfilling the conditions for visa free travel, adding that the most advanced countries in the region could achieve this objective next year.

“Political dialogue needs to be strengthened and sustained in order to allow the effective functioning of political institutions, in particular the parliament. Corruption remains widespread and remains a particularly serious problem, although a number of steps have been taken in this regard," the report said.

"Corruption remains widespread and remains a particularly serious problem, although a number of steps have been taken in this regard. Measures need to be taken to ensure that recruitments into the civil service are free from undue political interference," it added.

Macedonia was granted an EU candidate status in 2005 but still awaits a date to be set for the start of negotiations.