After the statements of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, should go to Macedonia because of the political crisis, Jagland in Brussels made a short statement, saying that Macedonia “should have a strong and impartial investigation into the allegations regarding the wiretapped conversations to restore confidence, “adding that the Council of Europe “has a recent experience” in overseeing judicial investigations.
Diplomats close to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe explained for META that “recent experience” for which Jagland is speaking refers to monitoring of the Ukrainian investigation into the violence of Majdan Square during the riots (from November 2013 to February 2014) .
The conclusions of the investigation were published in March 2015.
The body called International Advisory Panel (IAP) was led by expert Nicola Braza, in cooperation with two Ukrainian experts appointed by the government and the opposition.
Conclusions of IAP were very critical towards the Ukrainian government.
The supervision of the International Advisory Panel, among other things, concluded that the investigation into the violence of Majdan does not meet European standards of human rights, that there was no sincere will to investigate, and that the investigation began quickly, which in itself was a challenge for successive investigations.
The panel directed harsh criticism towards the Ukrainian Public Prosecution and the lack of financial and human resources throughout the investigation.
The work of the International Advisory Panel was welcomed by international organizations and Russia, but also by the Ukrainian authorities, which committed to improving the situation.
While it is unclear whether this mission is feasible in Macedonia and in what format, Thorbjørn Jagland’s spokesman Daniel Holtgen for META said: “The Council of Europe is open to all suggestions and requests from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and will help confidence to be restored.”
Although Jagland did not specify that such or similar body would be sent to Macedonia, Sergei Lavrov’ statements and calls to this organization, where Russia is a member, is proof that the Council of Europe could be helpful in the current Macedonian crisis.
Diplomatic sources in Strasbourg, seat of the Council of Europe, added that since investigation into the wiretapping is necessary, this international body could play an important role in restoring confidence between all parties. But the Council of Europe cannot take any decision until it is requested by Macedonia.
