Macedonia is working on ten critical steps from the Reform Agenda that are extensive, one of them is the reform of the Electoral Code, the country’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali told reporters Tuesday when asked about reforms and the European Commission’s 2025 Report.
“One of the specific points is the Electoral Code, which requires a larger, broader consensus, we cannot do it overnight, just to fulfill that step. Because the amounts we mention are eight million euros for each step. However, is the financial part the main motive or is the fulfillment of a step for the full functioning of the system our goal? I believe that as politicians we should think about future processes. Of course, the financial part is also an infusion for our financial system. However, we as politicians should bear responsibility for the future of the country and here the elections are a very important factor for us,” Sali said.
He adds that the EC Report has not arrived, but as he said, the Government should receive it this week. The minister points out that the Macedonian public knows that the Report is positive and 16 to 21 steps have been accepted.
“That is an excellent sign for us. The warning of Commissioner Kos and European Commissioner Weitz refers to announcements for the future period, that is, for this period until June, for which we have two months and I believe that about 10 steps are critical. So those are critical points that are in the grace period, there is no talk about the rest which are current points, or steps, which we need to implement. We are working on all areas, meaning the grace period and the regular period, which we need to fulfill. I believe that their announcement, warning is a preventive sign for our country, we need to work harder,” said the minister.
The European Affairs Minister adds that six of the 10 critical steps are already nearing completion, completed and are expected to be implemented by the end of April, in order for the country’s Government to have a two-month period for adaptation and possible changes.
