EUHR Solana's Statement at 5th Anniversary of Ohrid Framework Agreement signing

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign, and Security Policy, made today the following statement at the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement in Skopje:

"Today is the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement in Skopje. The country has come a long way since 2001 and has made important progress toward the development of a stable and democratic multi-ethnic state.

What started as a framework for peace has become a secure and stable dynamic process that is leading the country towards Europe. The same spirit of compromise across political and ethnic lines as well as between government and opposition has ensured the implementation of the Ohrid agreement to date. The completion of its legislative agenda last year marked the end of an important part of the process.

Action must now follow to put these laws into practice and fully implement reforms in areas such as decentralisation and equitable representation.

The continuation of the Ohrid process will help the country move closer to the EU.

The last five years have illustrated the capacity of the people and their elected representatives to overcome division and work for a common European future through an open political dialogue.

The same spirit and approach will be necessary to complete the country's journey to Europe.

The EU will remain a close partner in this process."

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• "Ohrid Agreement: Vital for European Path" - Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn (8/2/2007)
• EU Candidate status for fYROM - Statement by EU Commissioner Rehn (17/12/2005)
• Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn - Making the European Perspective real in the Balkans (8/12/2005)
• Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn - 2005 Enlargement Package (15/11/2005)