27.06.2018

From a colorful revolution to a colorful government - One year to turn everything around for Macedonia?

In 2016 Macedonia’s ‘colorful revolution’ led to fresh elections, which in turn brought a new government to power. In May 2017, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) formed an alliance with ethnic Albanian parties, and Prime Minister Zaev and his team brought fresh impetus to the country and the region. Zaev’s government has set a new course in both domestic and foreign affairs. In January, the country signed a friendship agreement with Bulgaria, and this month it managed to settle a decades-long dispute with Greece over its name.

The new government has revitalized Macedonian efforts to forge stronger links with Europe, including the drawing up of an ambitious plan to strengthen the rule of law and media freedoms, which resonated strongly in the entire region. Skopje is also pushing for a start date for negotiations with the EU, expected to be announced at the European Council Summit at the end of June.

Considering the importance of the current developments, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung EU Office organized a roundtable discussion on Macedonia, one year after its new government came to power. During the discussion it was presented what has already been achieved over this period and the important steps ahead of the country as a must for further and continuous progress.

Chaired by Eva Ellereit, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Skopje Office, the discussion was enriched by the guest speakers: Erwan Fouéré, Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, Kalinka Gaber, State Secretary at the Secretariat for European Affairs, Skopje, Aleksandar Stojanovski, Researcher at the Eurothink Center for European Studies, Skopje.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Skopje

Boul. 8-mi Septemvri 2/2-5
(TCC Grand Plaza),
Skopje 1000,
North Macedonia

+389 2 3093-181 / -182
contact(at)fes-skopje.org