Pursuant to Article 68, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, at its session held on 15 December 2008, adopted the following
RESOLUTION
on the priorities in 2009 for the accession of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union
Reaffirming the strategic and consensual commitment of all political entities and citizens for the accession of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union;
Expressing readiness for fulfillment of political and other criteria and common European standards - conditions for the integration in the Union;
Acknowledging the successful cooperation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia with the European Parliament thus far;
Taking into consideration the acts of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia: Declaration on the Development of Relations of the Republic of Macedonia with the European Union of 1998; Declaration on Upgrading the Level of Relations of the Republic of Macedonia with the European Union of 2000; Declaration on the Submission of Application for Membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union of 2004; Resolution on the Priorities for Accession of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union and Opening of Negotiations for Membership in the European Union;
Aware of the fact that the criteria set by the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993 are crucial for the accession to the European Union;
Respecting the obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Union, which entered into force in 2004;
Assessing that priority goals in 2009 for the Republic of Macedonia as a candidate country, in the direction of its accession to the European Union, should be getting the date for opening of negotiations and visa liberalisation;
Referring to the National Program for the Adoption of the EU Acquis which confirms the commitment that the Republic of Macedonia becomes fully prepared for EU membership by 2010;
Taking into consideration the debates in the National European Integration Council, the European Affairs Committee and the other working bodies on the European Commission Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia in 2008,
the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia
1. Considers that strengthening of the dialogue and partnership with the EU institutions and its Member States in 2009, through exceptional political dedication, is of vital importance for the Republic of Macedonia with a view to strengthening its position in fulfilling the priorities for its integration in the European Union.
2. Expresses satisfaction for the cooperation between the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the European Parliament which has developed on several levels and encourages its promotion in all areas of joint interest.
3. Considers that the assessments and comments in the Report are reflection of the realistic situation in the Republic of Macedonia in relation to the results achieved in 2008 in the process of its integration in the European Union.
4. Points to the need of a continuous support for the activities of all relevant entities, in order to fulfill the established criteria and complete the priority tasks - starting negotiations with the European Union and visa liberalisation.
5. Calls on the relevant institutions to analyse, with due seriousness and criticism, the remarks in the Report, and commit themselves to overcoming the weaknesses, in particular in the segment of the political criteria for EU membership.
6. Commends the adoption of the Action Plan of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for the implementation of the recommendations comprised in the European Commission Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia in 2008 and calls upon the working bodies to review it and provide their constructive contribution, in accordance with their sphere of action.
7. Encourages the Government to continuously take the necessary activities for full implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Union.
8. Encourages the Government to incorporate the recommendations comprised in the Report in the revised National Program for the Adoption of the EU Acquis.
9. Expresses readiness to give priority in its work and in the work of the working bodies to the deliberation of laws harmonising the national legislation with the Acquis Communaitaire.
10. Underlines the importance of continuous reforms in every field of society, and of building the administrative capacity necessary for full and efficient implementation of the reforms.
11. Considers it necessary that, throughout the process of carrying out the set tasks, the Republic of Macedonia be positively promoted as future member of the EU.
12. Points to the need that the EU accession process of the Republic of Macedonia continues in a transparent manner, while strengthening the communication with the public, involving the civil sector in the process and mobilising all the other society potentials.
13. Emphasizes the role of the Republic of Macedonia in the promotion of the regional cooperation and the cooperation with the EU Members States, in particular those that support us on our way towards EU integration.
14. Calls upon the Government to keep the Assembly regularly and thoroughly informed on every aspect of the accession process.
15. This Resolution is to be delivered to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, President of the European Parliament, President of the EU Council of Ministers and the European Council, President and Members of the European Commission and Presidents of Parliaments of the EU Member States.
16. This Resolution will be published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia".
ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
No. 07-5520/1 President of the Assembly
15 December 2008 of the Republic of Macedonia
Skopje Trajko Veljanoski