Skopje breakthrough on FYROM deadlock welcomed by PES
06.03.2013
The Party of European Socialists (PES) has welcomed an agreement to end political deadlock in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The deal was reached in Skopje after talks between EU Commissioner Stefan Füle, European Parliament Rapporteur and S&D Member Richard Howitt and former European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, SDSM Leader Branko Crvenkovski and DUI Leader Ali Ahmeti.
The EU-brokered agreement between the government and the opposition, which puts an end to the two-month political impasse, stipulates for all parties to return to Parliament and participate in the upcoming local elections;
Kristian Vigenin, Chair of the PES Task Force on Western Balkan Enlargement and Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) welcomed the agreement and commend the efforts of both sides, as well as those of EU representatives, for finding common ground in the interest of FYROM and its people.
He said that he would like to thank PES member SDSM and its Leader, Branko Crvenkovski, for; “the commitment which has lead to this important decision. It is a sign of political maturity and responsibility. The deal means that the FYROM is back on track and paves the way for further advancement on the path to EU membership. The PES is firmly behind the country’s EU future and will continue to offer its support with commitment and determination”.