After ten hours of marathon talks, the leaders of the political parties, all signatory to the Przhino Agreement failed to reach an agreement at the meeting which was held with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, at the EU residence.
Commissioner Hahn said he was disappointed in the meeting, but that there is still time and for the sake of the European future of the country, the parties need to reach an agreement in the course of today to reach an agreement.
“I hope everyone will recognize the seriousness of the situation. Definitely, this was not a good day, but I think that today will turn out good and a deal will be reached. Political parties need to stick to the agreement of June the 2nd and July the 15th, to keep the European perspective alive in the country. Honestly, I can not predict what all this will mean for European aspirations, but for the moment leadership is required, responsibility and concern for the fate of this country. I still believe that everything and anything is possible, my people will remain here, although I have to leave. We can help, but we can not do the job of the political leaders for them”,said Mr Hahn.
He once again expressed his disappointed but said he was still optimistic and hopes that the final outcome will be a positive one. Hahn said he would not set new deadlines and would be satisfied if the current limits are respected.
SDSM leader Zoran Zaev also gave a statement to the media. Just as Commissioner Hahn and Mr Zaev was also disappointed with the negotiations. He confirmed that an agreement had not been reached and said the negotiations had been stalled over the law on the “Bombs” and the law for the Provisional Government i.e. the responsibilities of the Deputy Ministers.
“I can not believe it either, nor the members of our negotiating team can. How could someone believe that it is more important to pass a law which provides for censorship and jail sentences of journalists or chief editors than the European future of the country. Out of the 12 hours of talk-time more than 8 – 9 hours were spent discussing the law for the “Bombs”. We can not believe that an agreement cannot be reached on the simple things and the persistent stalling in the last moment. There are still 20 hours from today to the implementation of the law on the Special Public Prosecutor and to choose a Provisional Government, in order to comply with the agreement of June the 2nd and July the 15tth “said Zaev.
The Coordinator of the Parliamentary Group VMRO-DPMNE Ilija Dimovski said that progress on certain issues there, but final agreement was reached.
“The law discussed on the moratorium o the “Bombs” and we are trying to find a balance between public interest and the protection of freedom of expression, who had the most objections, you journalists. We seek to comply with what has been agreed and provided by the contract of June the 2nd and July the 15th. We talked seriously about the law on whistle-blowers. At some point during today another meeting should be held s between the working groups, we remain fully committed to reaching a final agreement” stated Mr Dimovski.
He said they discussed the Law on Government, which, according to him, is very important to be able to appoint additional Deputy Ministers. Mr Dimovski said the Electoral Legislation has been harmonized and that even today it could be put before MPs in Parliament, ready for Parliamentary Procedure.
