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AFET adopts Rapporteur Kyuchyuk’s report on North Macedonia

AFET adopts Rapporteur Kyuchyuk’s report on North Macedonia
Brussels, 20 April 2022 (MIA) – The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) has adopted its report on North Macedonia, drafted by MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, MIA’s Brussels correspondent reports. The report was adopted by 66 votes in favour, 4 against, and 5 abstentions. The document outlines the country’s reform progress, MEPs encourage Bulgaria and North Macedonia to swiftly resolve pending bilateral issues and urge the Council to greenlight accession negotiations as soon as possible. “Considering the broader geostrategic context and that the country has delivered sustained results, we call for long overdue accession negotiations to officially start,” European Parliament's Rapporteur for North Macedonia, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, posted on Twitter. MEP from the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), Shadow Rapporteur Christian Sagartz, commended North Macedonia on its efforts, pointing out it was the EU’s turn to deliver on its promise. He proposes free roaming zone as a first step in the EU accession negotiations process. Chances are slim that Bulgaria will lift the veto in June, according to Bulgarian top officials.  The European Parliament has consistently supported North Macedonia’s EU integration. Following the committee vote, the report will be tabled for vote by plenary in the 18-19 May plenary session.