SECRETARY GENERAL STATEMENT ON PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
IN THE FORMER
YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA1
Wednesday’s parliamentary elections were an important
test for the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia on
its path to achieving its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. I commend the efforts
undertaken by the country’s authorities for the peaceful conduct of these
elections and the considerable progress achieved since the last local elections
took place in March 2005.
I note with satisfaction the OSCE’s assessment that
the elections largely met international standards, although isolated
irregularities did take place. These should be investigated and those
responsible should be held accountable.
Achieving NATO membership is a performance-based
process, and as an aspirant country the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
is expected to consistently meet the highest democratic standards.
I call on the political authorities and on the people
of the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia to continue on the
path of reforms necessary to meet NATO standards and to ensure the continued
implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
NATO looks forward to working with the new government
of the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia in its Euro-Atlantic
aspirations, supporting the critical reforms needed to that effect.