Compte rendu in extenso des débats

Mercredi 14 mars 2012 - Strasbourg

5. Rapport sur l'élargissement à l'Ancienne république yougoslave de Macédoine (débat)

  El Presidente. − El primer punto del orden del día es el debate sobre las declaraciones del Consejo y de la Comisión sobre el Informe de situación 2011 sobre la antigua República Yugoslava de Macedonia (2011/2887(RSP)).

  Nicolai Wammen, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, before starting my speech here I would also like to pay tribute and to extend condolences and grief from the Presidency to the victims and the families involved in that terrible accident. I believe that everyone in this Chamber feels for the victims and the families today, and we will of course honour them later on, as has been stated. I believe that is very appropriate.

On behalf of the Danish Presidency of the Council, it is a great pleasure for me to participate in this debate and to review progress on enlargement and the accession negotiations. First of all let me underline how much we appreciate Parliament’s interest in and support for the enlargement process. Your active and constructive contribution to the wider debate on enlargement is highly valued and appreciated.

I would also like to begin these three debates today by highlighting the resilience of the EU enlargement policy. This is sometimes overlooked, not least in times of great economic hardship and uncertainty. Last December we were able to sign the accession treaty with Croatia, which is now in the process of being ratified by national parliaments. This should allow Croatia to join the Union in July 2013. Only two weeks ago, on 1 March, the European Council granted candidate status to Serbia. Both achievements show that the political momentum behind the EU’s enlargement policy is driven by the power to transform and bring about positive change. The process has brought prosperity and, even more importantly, it has proved to be a positive factor for peace and security.

I would like to turn now to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Since December 2005 the country has been a candidate for membership of the EU. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is important in the region, being fully engaged in regional initiatives such as the Regional Cooperation Council and the South-East European Cooperation Process. It also contributes to the EU Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At its meeting on 5 December 2010, the Council welcomed the further progress made by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the area of reform, as well as the fact that it is fulfilling its commitment under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

The Council broadly shares the Commission’s assessment of the country's sufficient fulfilment of the political criteria. Since the early elections of June last year, which followed a boycott of the parliament, the governing coalition has been stable. Let me briefly mention the progress which has been made on issues such as the reform of the parliament, the judiciary, public administration and respect for – and protection of – minorities, before I address the key challenges that remain.

We welcome the improvement, compared to 2008, of the handling of the parliamentary elections on 5 June 2011, which were competitive, transparent and well administrated throughout the country. Naturally the government needs to implement fully the conclusions and recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, particularly regarding the separation between state and party activities during the campaign period. We expect the 2013 local elections to be handled equally well as – if not better than – the 2011 elections.

We also welcome the fact that the government coalition has resolved earlier difficulties and has strengthened internal cooperation. It is important that the momentum of the reform process be maintained. Freedom of expression in the media remains a matter of concern. We welcome the opening of a dialogue on this issue. The closure, on grounds of tax evasion, of a major television channel and three newspapers which were critical of the government has raised concerns about the proportionality and selectivity of the procedure and has reduced the diversity of the media landscape. As for judicial reform, some positive progress has been achieved.

This is also the case for the amendments to the legal framework in relation to the fight against corruption. The adoption of a new criminal procedure code is a significant step forward in the fight against crime and corruption but requires further institutional work in order to be fully implemented. Corruption remains a serious problem which needs to be addressed.

Further progress has also been made in the area of cultural rights and minorities. The tenth anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement provided a good opportunity for enhanced dialogue between the communities in the country. Both the letter and the spirit of the Ohrid Framework Agreement must be respected by all.

Integration of the Roma in the education system has improved, but further measures need to be taken, as the Roma continue to face very difficult living conditions and discrimination, in particular regarding civil registration. In the area of human rights, we are concerned about cases of ill treatment by special police forces as well as discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community. This needs to be addressed.

Overall, the developments in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are encouraging. The Council has noted that the Commission has reiterated its recommendation that accession negotiations should be opened. We stand ready to return to this during our Presidency.

Let me end by recalling that maintaining good neighbourly relations – which has to include a negotiated and mutually-accepted solution with the UN to the main issue – is essential. We very much hope that the ongoing high-level dialogue will yield a positive outcome as soon as possible.

  Štefan Füle, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, there could hardly be a greater tragedy than when lives of young ones are taken away. Let me join you and others in an expression of deepest solidarity and grief.

I am delighted to be discussing the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with you one week after I attended the hearing in Parliament hosted by Mr Howitt. Today will be yet another opportunity to take stock of the developments in the country during the last year.

I would like to thank especially Mr Howitt for the high-quality report we are discussing today. I am pleased that the European Parliament motion for a resolution broadly shares the Commission findings in the 2011 progress report. Once again – and the third time in a row – there is a consensus between us that accession negotiations should start. As you are aware, the Council has not acted on the recommendation but has stated its willingness to return to the issue during the Danish Presidency.

It is in this context that I am travelling to Skopje later today to launch the high-level accession dialogue. Our aim is to move the country closer to the European Union and to keep the European Union agenda as the driving force of the transformation in the country. It is by no means a substitute for actual negotiations.

The dialogue will take forward the reform agenda in the country by achieving a clear agreement on the reforms to be taken in five key policy areas. Firstly, as regards the rule of law – which is a policy area of strategic importance to the European Union – we will associate the country with the new approach which is currently being followed with Montenegro.

Secondly, regarding freedom of expression, the Commission and Parliament agree on the importance of this in the enlargement process. As a result of our joint efforts on this, I am pleased that the first steps to address our concerns have been taken by the government in Skopje. A dialogue between the state and journalists has been established. One of the key points discussed was the decriminalisation of defamation. I therefore very much welcome the announcement by Prime Minister Gruevski and Deputy Prime Minister Arifi that defamation will be fully decriminalised.

Thirdly, public administration reforms must go forward, which means implementing the 2011 reform strategy. Fourthly, electoral reform needs to be completed. The fifth area is the development of a functioning market economy.

The Commission will continue to support the country in addressing all these challenges through targeted financial cooperation. I have taken good note of Parliament’s suggestions concerning the IPA programme and the Civil Society Facility in this regard.

The Commission also agrees with your view of the importance of good neighbourly relations between the country and its neighbours and the need to increase mutual understanding. We are closely monitoring developments in this field and will assess them again in the 2012 progress report.

Finally, you have requested that the European Union should be ready to assist in resolving the name issue. The United Nations has a clear mandate to mediate on the name issue between the country and Greece. We are helping to create a climate conducive to compromise, and we are encouraging the countries to find one. For the European Union to become engaged in a more substantial way there would have to be a clear demand by both parties.

As I have said on many occasions, it is a political reality that a solution to the name issue will greatly facilitate further progress in European integration. I welcome the fact that the two sides are re-engaging and strongly encourage them to build on the progress made in 2011.

  Richard Howitt, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, I would like to start by saying how proud I have been during the past year to be appointed as rapporteur to establish a very fruitful collaboration with the shadows, to support the work of the Commissioner whom I deeply respect and to become even more convinced that this is a country which belongs inside the European Union.

It is why I endorse the call for EU accession talks to start ‘without delay’ in paragraph 1, sentence 1 of the resolution: no qualifications. It is why I have tabled an amendment endorsing the high-level accession dialogue due to begin tomorrow, not as an alternative to talks, but as an opportunity for progress which cannot be missed.

I point to the improvement in elections that I witnessed and in parliamentary cooperation, to economic progress, to judicial and public service reform. I do not see as criticism the words of those who call me friendly to the country, because friendly criticism is precisely what is needed. On war crimes, freedom of media, discrimination, police ill-treatment and on the Roma, look at the resolution and you will find such friendly but robust criticism. And the decision to abolish the crime of defamation against journalists is indeed demonstration that our demands are being heard and acted upon.

It is why those who wish to delete my reference to the country’s success in the basketball championships are wrong. It shows that we can appreciate the difference between legitimate national pride at the same time as warning against illegitimate political nationalism. For those who are erecting hoops through which the country must jump, it is one very apt metaphor that they can do it.

But the warnings are not just to the country, but to ourselves, not least in the incidence of ethnic conflict over the last week. As I was told in the country: for stability, like a bicycle you need to keep moving forward.

And that includes the name issue. Despite the Hague judgment, I repeat today that there is no shortcut to a negotiated solution. But to those who seek to delete paragraph 15 even though it meets the UN accord: you would be sending a signal that we do not understand the feelings of the people of the country or express our desire to back a solution which is fair and just to all. And to colleagues from neighbouring countries who have negotiated with me, have seen how I sought to be flexible and inclusive: just as you rightly call on Skopje to avoid provocations, in the way that you speak today and in the way that you vote, I call on you to demonstrate the very same commitment.

Shortly this country will take over the chair of the Regional Cooperation Council. It hosted the meeting of Ministers of European Integration from across the Balkans in the wake of this year’s Commission progress reports. It is a country which has excellent relations with both Serbia and Kosovo. Its progress points to the European future of every single one of the countries, but there has to be a European future for every one of the countries, which is why this is the debate which must be heard, these are the obligations which must be met on all sides, this is a country which cannot be left behind.

  Eduard Kukan, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, first I would like to congratulate Mr Howitt on this good report. We agreed to reiterate in it our call on the Council to open the accession negotiations without further delay. I fully support this call as I am convinced that, in order to trigger more developments, the country needs to work on a positive agenda and the negotiation with the EU is exactly that positive agenda.

The more we prolong the gap between the candidate status and negotiations, the less credible the EU policy could become in the Balkans. Otherwise, I am afraid there will be some substituting agenda in some programmes as we see, for example, in the area of inter-ethnic relations in the country. Therefore, I fully support Commissioner Füle’s initiative to leave the higher level accession dialogue focused on the most difficult areas in the future negotiations. The main areas where progress is still needed are freedom of the media, reform in judicial and public administration and the fight against corruption. They need to be addressed promptly.

Finally, Macedonia has a realistic chance to move forward in the EU integration process, yet it is also our responsibility to make this happen.

  Norica Nicolai, în numele grupului ALDE. – Vreau să îi mulțumesc dlui Howitt pentru colaborare. Cred că am reușit împreună să realizăm un raport obiectiv, dar nu pot să nu mărturisesc frustrarea pe care o am și în acest an, pentru că negocierile cu Fosta Republică Iugoslavă a Macedoniei nu sunt demarate. Cred că Macedonia poate fi un caz specific de punere sub semnul întrebării a eficienței și a motivării noastre pentru procesul de aderare a unor state membre. Nu cred că disputa cu privire la nume - și aceasta mai ales în raport cu decizia Curții Internaționale de Justiție de la Haga - poate să constituie, în continuare, un impediment pentru parcursul european al acestei țări.

Dincolo de criticile care se pot adresa acestui stat membru și nu numai, trebuie să recunoaștem că sunt situații specifice și în statele care sunt membre ale Uniunii Europene și care se confruntă cu situații de aceeași natură; mă refer la libertatea presei, la eficiența justiției, la statutul de economie funcțională de piață. Dar, dincolo de aceste lucruri, cred că parcursul european al Macedoniei nu trebuie înfrânt și nici demotivat cu paleative, așa cum încercăm în acest moment. Am propus prin acest raport un arbitraj în care Uniunea Europeană să se implice activ în respectarea hotărârilor judecătorești și în încercarea de a găsi soluții obiective din punct de vedere juridic pentru ca parcursul european al unei țări să nu fie înfrânt.

Dincolo de aceste lucruri, cred că un lucru esențial pentru Macedonia este reforma justiției, în care s-au făcut progrese, progrese semnificative. Sigur, ele trebuie să continue, însă nu putem ignora modul în care s-au soluționat legile cu privire la Codul de procedură penală, la situația și independența judecătorilor. De asemenea, nu putem ignora faptul că s-au făcut progrese în cadrul acordului de la Ohrid ...

(Președintele întrerupe oratorul)

  Marije Cornelissen, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, I keep thinking how wonderful it would be if we could hold a debate about the country without the name being such an issue. If we could just concentrate on the progress and on the hard work that still lies ahead, there is enough to do as regards more fundamental rights: stopping corruption and reforming the economy and the labour market. Bizarrely, reaching a solution should not be too hard. Greece has made an offer for a composite name with a geographical denomination, and Macedonia has always stated that what it finds most important is that its identity, culture, nationality and language are not questioned. We would like to give the process a small but significant push by applauding the offer, so we have put in an amendment.

I hope that other groups will vote in favour of this and – who knows? – maybe next year we will be back here and freely speak about ‘North Macedonia’ in which Macedonian people with Macedonian identities and Macedonian culture happily speak Macedonian.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question under Rule 149(8))

  Димитър Стоянов (NI), въпрос, зададен чрез вдигане на синя карта. – Г-жо Cornelissen, обръщам се към Вас като говорител от името на Групата на Зелените, тъй като Групата на Зелените е известна с доста сериозната си позиция по защитата на правата на човека и на правата на малцинствата. Искам да Ви попитам, наясно ли сте с това, че в Македония продължават да се нарушават правата на хората с българско самосъзнание и каква е позицията на Групата на Зелените по този въпрос?

  Marije Cornelissen (Verts/ALE), blue-card answer. – I think that discrimination against whatever national group or other minority or even against women should be firmly combated. Some groups should be singled out by mentioning them – the LGBT community is one of them. I have no problem with a mention of Bulgarians but I would find it important to have a nuanced vision on this because there is a bit of going back and forth between Bulgaria and Macedonia in stigmatisation and stereotyping. But, if there is discrimination, it should be combated.

  Marina Yannakoudakis, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, my group supports the call for this resolution to welcome FYROM to the EU as soon as possible. As a member of the Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee I have been following the debate with great interest. I have been following the areas such as inter-ethnic reconciliation, fundamental rights and reforms and public administration. They all show some sign of improvement and I hope that this will continue.

FYROM has also made steps towards improving its human rights. Now I understand the importance and cultural significance of the name issue and I hope that this will be resolved in due course by the parties concerned. What we need to do is to ensure that the groundwork is prepared for FYROM to become a full member when it meets the required EU criteria.

  Νικόλαος Χουντής, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας GUE/NGL. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, πρέπει να επαναλάβω για μία ακόμη φορά ότι η θέση μας, η θέση της Ενωτικής Αριστεράς και η θέση η δική μου, είναι ότι η ΠΓΔΜ μπορεί και πρέπει να γίνει μέλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, εφόσον το επιθυμεί ο λαός της. Από εκεί και πέρα, δεν μπορώ να συγχαρώ τον συντάκτη Richard Howitt διότι νομίζω ότι στην πρόταση ψηφίσματός του υπάρχουν προβληματικά σημεία.

Το πρώτο προβληματικό σημείο αφορά το θέμα της ονομασίας διότι, όσο το αντιμετωπίζουμε ως ένα διμερές θέμα ενώ είναι πρόβλημα διεθνές και αντιμετωπίζεται μέσα στα πλαίσια του ΟΗΕ, τόσο δεν στέλνουμε το κατάλληλο μήνυμα προς την πλευρά της κυβέρνησης της ΠΓΔΜ ώστε να κάνει τα απαραίτητα βήματα προκειμένου να λυθεί το πρόβλημα. Όσο δεν λύνεται αυτό το πρόβλημα, όποιοι και αν είναι οι ισχυρισμοί που προβάλλονται, τόσο η εκάστοτε κυβέρνηση της ΠΓΔΜ δεν μπορεί να επικεντρωθεί στα προβλήματα στα οποία αναφέρθηκαν οι συνάδελφοι και τα οποία πρέπει να αντιμετωπισθούν, προκειμένου να μπει στην υπόθεση της ένταξης στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

Δεύτερον, δεν θεωρώ ότι η είσοδος στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση συνδέεται με το αν είσαι μέλος του ΝΑΤΟ ή όχι και με το αν μετέχεις σε νατοϊκές εκστρατείες. Από πότε βρήκαμε αυτό το νέο κριτήριο που μετατρέπει ουσιαστικά τη χώρα σε μέσο εξυπηρέτησης αμερικανικών ανατολικών συμφερόντων;

Η τρίτη προβληματική παρατήρηση είναι ότι, ενώ η ΠΓΔΜ είναι χώρα με ανεργία και φτώχεια, εμείς ουσιαστικά της συνιστούμε, αν όχι της επιβάλλουμε, αυτές τις συντηρητικές νεοφιλελεύθερες πολιτικές οι οποίες οδηγούν στην κρίση και θα οξύνουν ακόμη περισσότερο αυτά τα προβλήματα.

Για τους λόγους αυτούς δεν συμφωνώ με την πρόταση ψηφίσματος του Richard Howitt.

  Νικόλαος Σαλαβράκος, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας EFD. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η έκθεση προόδου της Επιτροπής καταγράφει ελλείμματα σε κρίσιμους τομείς, όπως η ελευθερία έκφρασης, η δικαιοσύνη, η δημόσια διοίκηση, η διαφθορά και πολλοί άλλοι, και περιέχει αυστηρότερες συστάσεις από την περσινή έκθεση προόδου.

Φοβάμαι όμως ότι ο συντάκτης του ψηφίσματος επιλέγει χειρότερη προσέγγιση, πολύ λιγότερο ρεαλιστική από εκείνη του κ. Füle και του κ. Wammen, οι οποίοι με διακριτικότητα έθεσαν και το θέμα της ονομασίας. Απεναντίας, ο συντάκτης του ψηφίσματος επιχειρεί στην παράγραφο 15 να υπερβεί δια της πλαγίας οδού την εντολή που έχει λάβει, δηλαδή να συντάξει μία πρόταση ψηφίσματος για την ΠΓΔΜ, και προσπαθεί να τοποθετηθεί και, με πλάγια μέσα, να διαμορφώσει ονομασία, πράγμα που είναι πέραν της εντολής του.

Η χρησιμοποίηση τέτοιου λεκτικού τεχνάσματος είναι απαράδεκτη και υπερβαίνει τα όρια της νομιμότητας διότι δεν προωθεί ούτε τη δημοκρατία, ούτε τις καλές σχέσεις γειτονίας, ούτε την καλή συνεργασία μεταξύ των κρατών μελών, αξίες που ενστερνίζεται το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, και, οπωσδήποτε, δεν συμβάλλει θετικά στις διαπραγματεύσεις για την εύρεση μιας αμοιβαία αποδεκτής λύσης.

Μου κάνει επίσης εντύπωση η παράγραφος 62, με την οποία δίνονται συγχαρητήρια στη χώρα για την πολύ καλή εμφάνιση της εθνικής της ομάδας στο ευρωπαϊκό πρωτάθλημα μπάσκετ! Μα είμαστε σοβαροί; Νομίζω ότι με την αναφορά αυτή μειώνεται η ΠΓΔΜ και μετατρέπεται η πρόταση ψηφίσματος σε αθλητική εφημερίδα.

Επιθυμώ να το τονίσω ένα πράγμα, ότι δεν πρέπει εμείς οι πολιτικοί να δημιουργούμε αδόκιμες προσδοκίες. Η ΠΓΔΜ είναι μία χώρα στην οποία εύχομαι να συμμορφωθεί στο μέλλον με όλα τα κριτήρια της ένταξης και να μπει κάποτε στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Σήμερα όμως δεν τα πληροί.

  Elmar Brok (PPE). - Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, Herr Ratspräsident, meine Damen und Herren! Dass man begrüßt, dass man über Basketballsiege berichtet, scheint mir eine wichtige Angelegenheit zu sein, weil es Sympathie zum Ausdruck bringt. Ich habe mich auch immer darüber gefreut, wenn Griechenland Basketball-Europameister wurde.

Ich halte es für wichtig, dass wir nach langen Zeiten des Versprechens dazu kommen, dass wir Verhandlungen mit diesem Land beginnen. Ich halte es für notwendig, dass die Dinge vorangehen, denn es ist ein wichtiger Punkt, dass wir auf dem Westbalkan Stabilität bekommen haben, und nachdem der Prozess mit Kroatien erfolgreich abgeschlossen wurde, sollte man dieses tun. Ich glaube, hier müssen wir auch die Perspektiven geben, dass wir es mit den Vereinbarungen von Thessaloniki ernst meinen.

Allerdings muss auch jedes Land seine Verpflichtungen voll erfüllen, und es macht mir etwas Sorge, dass die ethnischen Konflikte, die jetzt offensichtlich auch zu religiösen Konflikten werden, diese wieder etwas problemreicher machen. Ich glaube, dass es, für einen erfolgreichen Ausgang wichtig ist, dass die inneren Konflikte nicht wieder aufbrechen und das Abkommen von Ohrid eingehalten wird und es zu einer Versöhnung der Gruppen führt.

Ich meine wirklich, dass Griechenland und die frühere Jugoslawische Republik Mazedonien beide ihre Namensfragen lösen sollten. Ich verstehe wirklich beide Seiten nicht. Dass man sich über eine solche Frage nicht einigen kann! Daran kann der Fortgang Europas nicht hängen, und deswegen halte ich es für richtig, dass wir diese Länder auffordern, endlich diese Frage, die nicht von größter Bedeutung ist, zu lösen, damit wir endlich zu den Sachfragen kommen.

  Libor Rouček (S&D). - Mr President, first of all let me say, on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats, that we are pleased to see that, despite the financial and economic crisis we are facing, the Union enlargement policy is gaining new momentum, especially in the Western Balkans. As the Minister has already said, enlargement is one of the most successful policies. In my view, and in the view of my group, it should stay so. It should remain strong and robust.

Of course, we should capitalise on the positive dynamics facilitated by Serbia’s candidate status. It should also be a good example for the neighbouring countries that, if they work hard and implement reforms, they can go on the same path.

As far as FYROM is concerned, we regret that the December 2011 International Court of Justice ruling did not translate into any constructive movement towards the resolution of the name issue. I think it is tragic that the name issue can hinder the enlargement process for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We think that is in the interests of both the Macedonian people and the Greek people, and of course all Europeans, that this issue is solved as soon as possible and that this country can move forward.

In this context, I would like to welcome the new high-level accession dialogue led by Commissioner Füle. I want to wish him every success tomorrow when he starts the accession talks. Of course there are some priorities but I do not have time to mention them. Focus on them and we wish you good luck.

I would like to thank our rapporteur, Richard Howitt, for an excellent report.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question under Rule 149(8))

  Νικόλαος Σαλαβράκος (EFD), ερώτηση “γαλάζια κάρτα”. – Αγαπητέ συνάδελφε, ας απομονώσουμε το όνομα, ας ξεχάσουμε το όνομα και πείτε μου σας παρακαλώ το εξής: με αυτά που διαβάσατε στην πρόταση ψηφίσματος, με αυτά που ακούστηκαν στην αίθουσα για τα ελλείμματα δημοκρατίας, για την καταπάτηση των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων, για τη διαφθορά, θεωρείτε ότι η χώρα αυτή είναι ικανή, σήμερα, να λάβει καθεστώς υπό ένταξη χώρας; Που το βασίζετε αυτό;

  Libor Rouček (S&D), blue-card answer. –Mr Salavrakos, FYROM is a candidate country. I recognise and the report recognises that, yes, there are many shortcomings. The Macedonian Government is aware of that situation; I think the whole society is working on improving that situation.

But what I would like to say to you as a Greek is that your country – the whole region – is in economic trouble. Would it not be better if the whole region cooperated, if we created a positive atmosphere, economic cross-country and cross-border cooperation, and through this cooperation we could improve the wellbeing of the entire region, including Greece?

(Applause)

  Mirosław Piotrowski (ECR). - Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Była jugosłowiańska republika Macedonii posiada status kraju kandydującego do członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej od 2005 r., czyli już ponad sześć lat. Negocjacje akcesyjne z FYROM do tej pory się nie rozpoczęły głównie z powodu bilateralnego sporu o nazwę tego kraju. Zwolennicy rozpoczęcia negocjacji akcesyjnych z FYROM twierdzą, że spór ten w żadnym wypadku nie powinien stanowić przeszkody w tym procesie. Twierdzenia tego nie możemy przyjąć bezkrytycznie. Ważne są bowiem dobrosąsiedzkie stosunki pomiędzy członkami Unii. W tym wypadku idzie o Grecję i w tej sprawie głosu Grecji nie możemy postrzegać jako osłabionego ze względu na wewnętrzny kryzys finansowy w tym kraju. Z jednej strony, trzeba zrobić wszystko, aby rozpoczęcie negocjacji nie oznaczało wciągnięcia Unii w lokalne konflikty, a z drugiej, stymulować pogłębioną dyskusję nad strategią dalszego rozszerzenia Unii w kontekście poważnego kryzysu finansowego.

  Μαριέττα Γιαννάκου (PPE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η έκθεση της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής είναι σαφέστατη όσον αφορά την κατάσταση στην οποία βρίσκεται σήμερα η γειτονική χώρα και εισηγείται βεβαίως την έναρξη ενταξιακών διαπραγματεύσεων.

Όλοι όσοι σχολίασαν το θέμα, ισχυρίστηκαν ότι μια υποτιθέμενη διμερής διαφορά δεν μπορεί να εμποδίσει μια χώρα να ενταχθεί στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Το πρόβλημα ωστόσο δεν είναι το όνομα αλλά η προπαγάνδα, η προσπάθεια εξαρχαϊσμού των προβλημάτων και η προσπάθεια να πάμε ενάντια στην πραγματική ιστορία και στη λογική.

Όσοι ισχυρίζονται ότι, στο όνομα της σταθερότητας, πρέπει να ξεχάσουμε αυτό το ζήτημα που γίνεται αιτία να εκπαιδεύονται νέοι άνθρωποι σε μια διαφορετική πραγματικότητα από αυτήν που υπάρχει, κάνουν σοβαρό λάθος. Δεν μπορούμε να δεχθούμε και δεν μπορεί καμία ελληνική κυβέρνηση να δεχτεί, παρά τα οικονομικά προβλήματα - διότι κατάλαβα τον υπαινιγμό που εκτόξευσε συνάδελφος – να ξεκινήσουν οι ενταξιακές διαπραγματεύσεις με την χώρα αυτή χωρίς να έχει λυθεί το πρόβλημα.

Σας υπενθυμίζω ότι το Συμβούλιο έχει την αποκλειστική ευθύνη για την υπόθεση αυτή και θεωρώ συνεπώς ότι, αντί να ενθαρρύνετε τη χώρα αυτή να συνεχίζει μια απίστευτη προπαγάνδα, η οποία προέρχεται από το παλιό ιστορικό καθεστώς (αναφέρομαι στο κομμουνιστικό μπλοκ και στα σχέδιά του), θα ήταν καλύτερο να πείτε στη χώρα αυτή τι πραγματικά πρέπει να κάνει αν θέλει να έχει καλές σχέσεις γειτονίας με τις άλλες χώρες.

  Μαρία-Ελένη Κοππά (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, όλοι όσοι βρισκόμαστε εδώ πιστεύουμε ότι η Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας πρέπει να προσχωρήσει στους ευρωατλαντικούς θεσμούς. Πιστεύουμε παράλληλα ότι πρέπει να προχωρήσει η μεταρρυθμιστική προσπάθεια και ότι πρέπει να βρεθεί μια λύση σε σημαντικά προβλήματα, όπως η διαφθορά ή τα θέματα παραβίασης ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Το αγκάθι βεβαίως που παραμένει είναι η μη επίλυση του ζητήματος του ονόματος.

Παρά τα βήματα προόδου των τελευταίων δύο χρόνων, ο κύριος Gruevski εξακολουθεί να παίζει τα ίδια παιχνίδια και να αρνείται να προσέλθει με εποικοδομητικό πνεύμα σε διάλογο. Η επικείμενη σύνοδος του ΝΑΤΟ είναι ο λόγος για τον οποίο υπάρχει πάλι κινητικότητα.

Επαναλαμβάνουμε ότι πρέπει να βρεθεί μια ικανοποιητική λύση για τις δύο πλευρές στη βάση που τόσες φορές έχει περιγραφεί. Η λύση αυτή πρέπει να είναι ένας γεωγραφικός προσδιορισμός με χρήση erga omnes. Κάθε χαμένη ημέρα είναι μια χαμένη ευκαιρία για να ξεπεράσουμε το πρόβλημα.

Η Ελλάδα, παρά τις δυσκολίες της και παρά την οικονομική κρίση, δεν έχει σταματήσει να καταβάλει προσπάθειες για την εξεύρεση λύσης. Χαιρετίζουμε τις επαφές υψηλού επιπέδου με την Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας αν και αυτές, όπως σαφώς έχει λεχθεί, δεν υποκαθιστούν σε καμία περίπτωση τις ενταξιακές διαπραγματεύσεις. Το κλειδί για να προχωρήσει η χώρα προς τους ευρωπαϊκούς θεσμούς είναι αποκλειστικά και μόνο η επίλυση του ζητήματος του ονόματος.

(Η ομιλήτρια δέχεται να απαντήσει σε ερώτηση «γαλάζια κάρτα» (άρθρο 149 πράγραφος 8 του Κανονισμού).

  Charles Tannock (ECR), blue-card question. – Mr President, I have heard a lot of mentions from the Greek side of this House – and a mention was recently made by Mrs Koppa in her speech – that NATO is complicating matters. I heard a Greek Communist (I believe) say that NATO has got nothing to do with it. Of course NATO has nothing to do with it, but we do respect international law.

Would Mrs Koppa not agree that the ICJ was very clear in condemning the Greek position vis-à-vis Macedonia’s accession to NATO, and that therefore when she says that Greece is not at fault and that Macedonia and Gruevski’s propaganda is what it is all about and that is where the fault lies, surely the ICJ is a respected international court and their judgment should have some bearing on the issue of the name question? Mrs Koppa, would you like to address this please?

  Μαρία-Ελένη Κοππά (S&D), απάντηση με “γαλάζια κάρτα”. – Ελπίδα όλων μας ήταν ότι η απόφαση του Δικαστηρίου θα μπορούσε να δώσει μια ώθηση στις διαπραγματεύσεις και να βοηθήσει στην επίσπευση του διαλόγου.

Τούτο δυστυχώς δεν συνέβη. Όσον αφορά το ΝΑΤΟ, θεωρώ ότι η επίλυση του προβλήματος του ονόματος θα βοηθήσει τη χώρα να προχωρήσει τόσο προς την κατεύθυνση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, όσο και προς την κατεύθυνση του ΝΑΤΟ. Το κλειδί, επαναλαμβάνω, είναι η επίλυση του προβλήματος του ονόματος.

  Андрей Ковачев (PPE). - Г-н Председател, уважаеми г-н Комисар, гражданите на Македония от всички етнически групи и вероизповедания трябва да имат колкото се може по-бързо европейско бъдеще и аз искрено желая това. За съжаление явно управляващите в Македония като че ли не работят в тази посока и до сега не вземат насериозно препоръките на Европейския парламент.

Продължаващото насаждане на моноетнически исторически митове и легенди, насърчаването на псевдонаучни разработки и финансирането на пропагандни филми като „Трето полувреме” в крайна сметка задълбочават както конфликта в страната, така и със съседите. Изключително обезпокояващо е това, което се случва в последно време – нарастването на междуетническото напрежение.

Който смята, че спорът с Гърция е единственият проблем на тази страна, е просто един политически слепец, който трябва да прогледне. Този спор е само върхът на айсберга. За съжаление в Македония все още е проблематично открито да заявиш своята българска етническа идентичност или произход. Надявам се Македония да скъса с етно-идеологическото наследство на югокомунизма и да работи за изграждането на мостове със своите съседи. Такива мостове са отбелязването на общоисторически събития, както и прекратяването на говора на омразата, особено в медиите и учебниците.

Не трябва да възпитаваме младите хора – младите поколения на Балканите, които трябва да живеят мирно и в просперитет, в омраза. Силно се надявам и желая една бъдеща такава политика от страна на Македония, за да имат гражданите на Македония европейско бъдеще.

  György Schöpflin (PPE). - Mr President, I think this is a thorough and illuminating report, yet the topic of this debate has a decidedly bizarre aspect. There is no agreement – it has been very clear – on what the country that we are discussing should actually be called. I am going to call it ‘Macedonia’. Of course it could always be called ‘FYROM/Macedonia’, but if we try to look at the issue in the round we can see the absurdity of it all. I cannot think of a single precedent for when a country has come under pressure regarding what it calls itself, in sum because one of its neighbours decided one day to object to the name ‘Macedonia’. Note that the name never bothered this neighbour while Macedonia was a part of Yugoslavia.

This would be weird enough in itself, but to use the name issue to deny Macedonia the right to open negotiations for EU membership can properly be called inexcusable. For one, I certainly do not see the name question as one of the Copenhagen criteria. Worse, the dispute brings the entire enlargement process into disrepute. It really is time to find a solution.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question under Rule 149(8))

  Γεώργιος Κουμουτσάκος (PPE), ερώτηση με “γαλάζια κάρτα”. – Κύριε συνάδελφε, χαρακτηρίζετε πρωτόγνωρο το θέμα της ονομασίας και το γεγονός ότι μια χώρα δεν δέχεται το όνομα μιας άλλης.

Η Μακεδονία είναι μια γεωγραφική περιοχή. Ένα τμήμα της, το μεγαλύτερο, ανήκει στην Ελληνική Δημοκρατία. Ένα άλλο τμήμα ανήκει στην Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας και ένα τρίτο τμήμα ανήκει στη Βουλγαρία. Υπάρχουν λοιπόν σε μία περιοχή τρία κράτη και τρεις λαοί. Ο ένας λαός όμως - το τονίζω αυτό - διεκδικεί το μονοπώλιο και του ονόματος και της γλώσσας και της ιστορίας αυτής της περιοχής. Πιστεύετε ότι φταίνε οι άλλοι δύο λαοί που δεν αναγνωρίζουν αυτή τη χώρα ή αυτός ο λαός που θέλει να μονοπωλήσει το όνομα;

Θέλω την απάντησή σας.

  György Schöpflin (PPE), blue-card answer. – I cannot do any better than to quote Shakespeare. ‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet’.

Procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»)

  Γεώργιος Κουμουτσάκος (PPE). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η σταθερή στρατηγική επιδίωξη της Ελλάδας είναι η ευρωπαϊκή προοπτική και, τελικά, η ένταξη στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση όλων των χωρών των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων. Υποστηρίξαμε αυτόν τον στρατηγικό στόχο με την Ατζέντα της Θεσσαλονίκης το 2003 και θα το ξανακάνουμε το 2014, όταν η Ελλάδα θα έχει πάλι την Προεδρία της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Πρόκειται για στόχο που αφορά όλα τα κράτη των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων χωρίς εξαιρέσεις.

Υπάρχει όμως μια θεμελιώδης προϋπόθεση: να μην υπάρχουν άλυτα προβλήματα καλής γειτονίας που προκαλούν εντάσεις και επικίνδυνες τριβές. Αυτό συνέβη άλλωστε και στην περίπτωση της Σλοβενίας και Κροατίας.

Το πρόβλημα του ονόματος λοιπόν είναι ένα υπαρκτό και σοβαρό πρόβλημα που μπορεί να έρχεται από το παρελθόν αλλά είναι εδώ, είναι παρόν και είναι σοβαρό πολιτικό πρόβλημα. Αποκλείεται αυτό το πρόβλημα να είναι μόνο διμερές. Άλλωστε, ο κύριος Nimitz, ο ειδικός διαπραγματευτής από τον ΟΗΕ, το χαρακτήρισε πρόσφατα ως πρόβλημα ….

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή)

  Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (S&D). - Teljesen egyetértek Rouček és Schöpflin kollégákkal – és mint magyar és közép-európai – én sem látok más esélyt, mint a történelmi megbékélést. Sajnálatosnak tartom, hogy Görögország nem mutatott kompromisszumkészséget az elmúlt évek során. Ezért a macedón állampolgárok már elkezdték elveszíteni az európai integrációba vetett hitüket. Ez utat nyitott egy nacionalista-populista kormányzás felé – amely átvéve bizonyos rossz példákat pl. a jobboldali magyar kormánytól – jelentősen korlátozta a sajtószabadságot, politikai célokra használt független intézményeket, és semmibe veszi a kisebbségi jogokat. Teljesen egyetértek Brok kollégával, hogy az etnikai indíttatású erőszak – amelyet már egy hete láttunk Macedónia egyes részein – rendkívül komoly aggályokra ad okot. Minden kisebbségnek: bolgároknak, románoknak, albánoknak...

(Az elnök megvonta a szót a képviselőtől.)

  Jelko Kacin (ALDE). - Mr President, the resolution we are discussing today is a message of encouragement and a friendly assessment of what needs to be done so the country can move forward towards the EU. I would like to congratulate the Commissioner for his personal engagement and the decision to start a high-level dialogue as early as this week.

Macedonia can and should shape its identity by looking to the future and its European perspective. The Macedonian identity is an integral part of the modern European identity. Macedonian leaders should therefore end the self-imposed isolation of the country and bring its people closer to Europe. With accession to NATO, Macedonia would get security guarantees and secure its territorial integrity; with EU membership, it would attain economic progress, regional stability and protection of human and minority rights.

It is deeply regrettable and worrying that there have been a number of ethnic-based incidents lately. Macedonia needs to preserve its multi-ethnic …

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Димитър Стоянов (NI). - Г-н Председател, вчера в тази зала дебатирахме сайта, който е публикуван в Холандия от партия на наши колеги и всички се изказахме много негативно, разбира се, осъдихме езика на омразата. Обаче, аз мога да ви кажа, че в сравнение с целенасочената кампания, която развива македонското правителство – кампания на омразата, сайтът, който дебатирахме вчера е една детска шегичка направо.

Бедна Макeдония, която беше миналата година на първо място в света по безработица, вместо да инвестира в откриването на нови работни места, е изляла 2 милиона евро за заснемане на филм на омразата, чието заглавие дори няма да спомена, с цел да не му правя излишна реклама. Това са провокации, колеги, сигурен съм, че много добре го знаете, от характера на тези, които са разпалвали 5 войни в последните 100 години на Балканите – една от които световна. Това не може да продължава по този начин и вие трябва да

…(Председателят отне думата на оратора)

  Anna Záborská (PPE). - My všetci bez ohľadu na národnosť a frakciu podporujeme našich macedónskych priateľov v reformách, ktoré robia. Tento Parlament opakovane podporil rokovania s Macedónskom o jeho vstupe do Európskej únie. Chcem preto poprosiť naše kolegyne a kolegov z Grécka – využite túto historickú príležitosť a buďte prvými staviteľmi mostov porozumenia medzi starobylou gréckou kultúrou a mladým macedónskym štátom. Ochrana identity a právo na sebaurčenie patria medzi základné európske hodnoty. Ak ich spochybníme, stratíme pevný bod, ktorý potrebujeme aj na prekonanie ekonomickej krízy. Tam, kde jeden blokuje všetkých, prestáva existovať spoločenstvo, a kde nie je spoločenstvo, tam je ťažké očakávať solidaritu.

  Ivo Vajgl (ALDE). - Mislim, da je bistveno sporočilo te razprave bilo izraženo v besedah kolegov, ki so rekli, da je treba čim prej začeti s pridružitvenimi pogajanji za vstop Makedonije v Evropsko unijo. Samo to bo ugnalo ali pa postavilo v kot različne nacionalistične teorije, ki se pojavljajo in ki so bile vedno rak rana odnosov med narodi na Balkanu. Tudi danes smo slišali na žalost precej takšne retorike.

Mislim, da je trenutek, da Grčija premisli o tem, da je pravzaprav mednarodna solidarnost tista, ki pomaga reševati njene probleme v tem trenutku, in da je najbrž dober čas za to, da se pokaže nekaj empatije do sosedov. To velja tudi za nekatere druge sosede Makedonije.

Jaz želim, da, gospod Füle, dobro opravite v Skopju.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Chcel by som podporiť iniciatívu Európskej komisie, ktorá odporúča začať s Bývalou juhoslovanskou republikou Macedónsko oficiálne rokovania o pristúpení tejto krajiny do zväzku štátov Európskej únie. Krajina za uplynulé obdobie realizovala rozsiahle reformy politického systému či súdnictva a myslím si, že aj konštatovanie monitorovacích orgánov o tom, že krajina plní všetky svoje záväzky obsiahnuté v asociačných dohodách, potvrdzuje oprávnenosť návrhu na začatie rokovaní.

Rozhodnutie Európskeho súdneho dvora vo veci názvu krajiny, ako aj súhlas Organizácie Spojených národov s vykonávaním mediácie medzi Gréckom a kandidátskou krajinou nám dávajú nádej, že aj tento špecifický problém názvu krajiny bude možné civilizovane vyriešiť. Preto si myslím, že je potrebné začať rokovať a nechať príslušné orgány uskutočniť mediáciu o názve krajiny.

  Milan Zver (PPE). - Spoštovani gospod komisar, kot član skupine prijateljev Makedonije seveda toplo pozdravljam glavno sporočilo resolucije, ki poziva Svet, da začne pogajanja.

Mnogi imajo zadržke, nekateri zgodovinske narave, drugi etnične narave, pač skladno s svojimi pričakovanji in interesi, a mislim, da v 21. stoletju moramo ravnati drugače, iskati rešitve v smeri miru in stabilnosti v regiji. To je za Balkan še posebej pomembno.

Napredek je nesporen, imamo tri zaporedna poročila Evropske komisije, lansko odločitev sodišča v Haagu in jaz mislim, da je sedaj na vrsti Evropska unija, da preseka gordijski vozel in da Makedoniji omogoči začetek pristopnih pogajanj.

Menim, da je Makedonija kot država zrela osebnost, zrel subjekt, ki že prevzema tudi mednarodne obveznosti.

  Csaba Sógor (PPE). - Az összes EU-hoz csatlakozni kívánó ország számára kötelező a koppenhágai kritériumok tiszteletben tartása, így a kisebbségek jogainak biztosítása is. A nyugat-balkáni országok integrációs erőfeszítéseinek vizsgálata során különös figyelmet kell fordítani erre, hiszen mindannyian ismerjük a térség etnikai viszonyait és a nem is olyan távoli múltat. Kizárólag az interetnikus kapcsolatok megnyugtató, tartós és minden nemzeti közösség számára kielégítő rendezését követően kellene bekövetkezzen a térség európai integrációja. Azért mondom ezt sajnálattal, mivel a térség lakossága számára a minél hamarabbi csatlakozás lenne üdvös, továbbá a csatlakozás után is meglennének az eszközei a vitás kérdések rendezésére. De a gyakorlati tapasztalatok azt mutatják, hogy az EU tagországokban élő nemzeti kisebbségek problémáival nem foglalkoznak közös intézményei, a koppenhágai kritériumok sajnos csak a taggá válásig kötelezőek.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). - Mr President, I think the best antidote to Euroscepticism, which is rather rife at the moment, is to have countries actually wanting to join the European Union. Together with Croatia next year, there are a number of candidate countries and now we are discussing FYROM.

The name FYROM is unfortunate. While from a distance it does not make sense, I can understand for those closer to it that they may have issues. At the same time, to call anything ‘former’ is not very complimentary. If my country was called ‘the former British colony of Ireland’, I do not think we would be too happy. I think we should set a deadline by which this is to be resolved so that the name reflects its current status rather than the former one.

Moving on from there, we should get it to comply with the Copenhagen criteria on issues such as the economy, media, women’s rights, children’s rights and so forth, I look forward to FYROM, with a proper name, joining the European Union.

  Alojz Peterle (PPE). - Večkrat je bila te dni omenjena Slovenija kot argument v odnosu do Hrvaške. Rad bi povedal, da Slovenija ni blokirala začetka pogajalskega procesa in je reagirala samo enkrat, in to takrat, ko je Hrvaška v pristopni dokumentaciji zarisala nedogovorjeno mejo. Potem pa se je z njo dogovorila, da se bilateralno vprašanje rešuje izven konteksta pristopnega procesa. V tem smislu mislim, da gre za dober zgled.

Jaz se strinjam s poročevalcem, da je čas, da se Makedonija iz mučne čakalnice premakne za pogajalsko mizo. O preteklosti imamo lahko upravičeno zelo različna mnenja, tako je povsod po svetu, ne sme pa imeti preteklost večje teže kot volja po skupni prihodnosti.

Želim, da Makedonija, ki je naredila napredek, doživi tudi potrditev v evropskem duhu.

  Vytautas Landsbergis (PPE). - Mr President, as the resolution is calling again for a name compromise between the different positions of the country deprived of a name and Greece – which is never called a Former Part of the Ottoman Empire – we should take a role in the tabling of possible compromises. May I suggest they should be directed not at the past, but at the future?

We should not favour such names for our European partners as the Former Small Part of Alexander’s Empire Macedonia, or the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but rather the Future EU Member State of Macedonia, thus preferring the European future to the less fortunate past. In the same way we should oppose anyone’s request to call Ukraine a Former Part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, or the Former Soviet Republic of Ukraine. Let us look to the future.

Fin del procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»)

  Štefan Füle, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, in 2011 the country continued to sufficiently fulfil the political criteria, and the Commission therefore reconfirmed its recommendation to open accession negotiations. Nevertheless, we called for the pace of reforms to be intensified, in particular in the area of freedom of expression, and we therefore welcome the fact that the government of the country is listening to our remarks.

Today’s discussions are evidence of the close alignment of views between Parliament and the Commission on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in particular, and on enlargement policy in general. The discussions have focused on the areas where reform is urgently needed as well as the importance of the European Union fulfilling its commitments towards the country.

I will bring the views expressed here today with me when I travel to Skopje. There I will meet with Prime Minister Gruevski and his government and have a qualitatively new, structured discussion on the country’s reform process. By taking forward our cooperation in this way, we aim to create a new commitment to reforms and to boost the country’s European perspective. I also believe that a convincing track record of reforms can contribute to creating a positive political climate, which remains essential in order to clear the road for the start of accession negotiations in the near future.

Let me add the following personal remark. I have never failed to call on both Skopje and Athens to find a solution to the name issue through joint efforts and joint compromise. Within that framework let me make the two following remarks. First, one of the lessons learned from Europe’s sometimes challenging past is that the best way to care about the well-being and future of your own people – citizens – is also to care about your neighbours and the way you are perceived by them. Secondly, another lesson learned is that your – our – identity, while having strong roots in the past, is defined by your – our – present and future steps.

  Nicolai Wammen, formand for Rådet. − Hr. formand! Ærede medlemmer! Kommissær Füle! Lad mig starte med at ønske hr. Richard Howitt tillykke med det store og flotte stykke arbejde, der er blevet lavet i denne sag. Jeg vil også gerne konkludere, at Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien har opnået en række positive fremskridt gennem de seneste år. Landet har demonstreret politisk vilje og leveret konkrete resultater, som har bidraget til at sikre en god demokratisk og økonomisk udvikling, ikke mindst siden valget sidste år. Jeg er overbevist om, at disse anstrengelser vil fortsætte i resten af 2012.

Fremskridtene har fundet sted på en række forskellige områder. Det gælder f.eks. reformen af parlamentet, som fandt sted samtidig med, at der var fremskridt at spore i forbindelse med afholdelsen af parlamentsvalget den 5. juni 2011. Det er glædeligt, at der nu er indledt en dialog om de udeståender, der stadig eksisterer med hensyn til ytringsfrihed i medierne. I et demokratisk samfund er det afgørende, at der er forskellighed i medietilbuddene. Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien har også opnået fremskridt, når det drejer sig om retsreformer. Det er glædeligt, at der er taget skridt til at øge retsvæsenets uafhængighed og styrke dets effektivitet. Der er ingen tvivl om, at en velfungerende og uafhængig retsinstans vil være af afgørende betydning for opfyldelsen af EU's kriterier. Det er dog værd at bemærke, at der stadig er behov for, at man styrker bl.a. retsvæsenets uafhængighed og den professionelle tilgang.

Når det gælder kampen mod korruption, er der sket tilpasninger af de retlige rammer. Men korruption vedbliver at være et seriøst problem for Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien. Rammerne for den offentlige administration er blevet forbedret, men der er stadig udfordringer i forhold til at sikre en rekruttering, der i højere grad er meritbaseret. Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien har også gjort fremskridt på området for kulturelle rettigheder og rettigheder for minoriteter, og tiårsdagen for Ohrid-rammeaftalen var således en god anledning til øget dialog mellem de forskellige befolkningsgrupper i Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien.

I 2005 fik Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien kandidatstatus, og landet har vedholdende gennemført reformer med henblik på at kunne gøre yderligere fremskridt. EU har stillet Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien EU-medlemskab i udsigt, og det er en forpligtelse, Unionen skal leve op til. Jeg forstår de medlemmer, som i debatten i dag har udtrykt skuffelse over, at det endnu ikke er lykkedes at træffe beslutning om at indlede optagelsesforhandlinger med Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien. Samtidig er det også klart, at det påhviler et land, der på sigt ønsker at opnå medlemskab af EU, at have en god dialog med sine nabolande. Navnespørgsmålet er et bilateralt spørgsmål, som bør løses på en måde, som begge parter kan leve med. Det er vigtigt i forhold til, at der kan opnås enighed om at indlede optagelsesforhandlinger med Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien. Jeg håber inderligt, at vi i den nærmeste fremtid vil se fremskridt på dette område, og jeg vil ønske kommissær Füle held og lykke med de forestående samtaler. Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedoniens fremtid er Europa. Lad os tage de rette skridt for at sikre, at det sker hurtigst muligt.

  El Presidente. − Para cerrar el debate se ha presentado una propuesta de resolución⁽¹⁾ de conformidad con el artículo 110, apartado 2, del Reglamento.

Se cierra el debate.

La votación tendrá lugar hoy, miércoles 14 de febrero, a las 12.00 horas.

Declaraciones por escrito (artículo 149 del Reglamento)

  Kinga Gál (PPE), írásban. – Örömömre szolgál, hogy a határozattervezet hangsúlyos módon foglalkozik olyan kérdésekkel, mint a macedóniai nemzetek békés együttélése vagy a nemzeti kisebbségek helyzete. A szövegben külön rész tárgyalja a 10 évvel ezelőtt aláírt, a nemzeti identitás kölcsönös tiszteletének elvére épülő ohridi egyezmény jelentőségét, amely megteremtette az interetnikus konfliktusok megoldásának alapját. A törvények, melyek az egyezmény szellemében elfogadásra és módosításra kerültek, üdvözlendőek. Viszont, amint már más felszólalásaim alkalmával is hangsúlyoztam, minden törvény annyit ér, amennyit a gyakorlatba ültetés folyamán valóban megvalósítanak belőle. A békés együttélés alapfeltétele a felnövő generáció megfelelő nevelése, a szomszédok iránti érzékenység és pozitív viszonyulás elősegítése.

Az ilyen szellemben felnövő új generáció a kulcsa a független és nyitott multikulturális civil társadalom létrejöttének. Biztosítani kell, hogy minden gyermek a saját anyanyelvén, megfelelő tankönyvekből tanulhasson.

De legalább ennyire fontos, hogy a saját nyelve és kultúrája mellett már életének korai éveiben megismerje a vele tradicionálisan együtt élő társai nyelvét, kultúráját, történelmét. Az Előcsatlakozási Támogatási Eszközből hangsúlyozott módon kéne ilyen jellegű, a kölcsönös megértést előmozdító projekteket, valamint a már meglévő civilszervezeteket támogatni. A szomszédos nemzetek közötti megértés és a jó szomszédi viszony kialakításának egyik eszköze lehet továbbá az együtt élő népek szakértőiből álló történelmi bizottság létrehozása is. Mindez a nemzetiségi alapon való megkülönböztetés megelőzéséhez, egymás elfogadásához, valamint az etnikai identitás felvállalásához vezet.

  Jiří Havel (S&D), písemně. – Úvodem bych rád poblahopřál Richardu Howittovi, novému zpravodaji, k vysoce kvalifikované práci. Návrh textu jasně ukazuje, že velmi úspěšně zvládnul naskočit do jedoucího vlaku. A to bez ohledu na fakt, že se nám stále ještě nepodařilo vyřešit největší problém, tj. spor o jméno. Snaha Catherine Ashtonové a komisaře Fülleho – v souladu s naším loňským doporučením – usnadnit dosažení dohody o jménu zatím nepřinesla přes veškeré úsilí potřebný posun. Proto bychom možná měli zvážit změnu mediačního postupu. EU by mohla takový návrh předložit v OSN. A to v tom smyslu, aby se mediátorem stal představitel EU. Případně, aby věc přešla z působnosti OSN do působnosti EU. Tento návrh je motivován především skutečností, že roky utíkají, ale jednání přešlapují stále na místě. A to bez výhledu, že by se na tom mohlo cokoliv změnit. Proto považuji za vhodné udělat kroky, které by mohly vést k odblokování situace. Zaručit, že taková změna přinese nějaký pozitivní posun, samozřejmě nelze. Ale je nepochybné, že současná cesta k cíli očividně nevede. A EU by se tímto způsobem mohla alespoň chopit iniciativy.

(1) Véase el Acta.