Brussels, 13 December 2021 (MIA) – MIA has obtained the draft-conclusions of the General Affairs Council (GAC), which could undergo changes in the coming hours, prior to Tuesday’s meeting where North Macedonia expects a green light for the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) with the EU, MIA reports from Brussels. The introductory section on North Macedonia puts the timeline for the IGC by the end of this year. “The Council looks forward to the holding of the first intergovernmental conference with the Republic of North Macedonia as soon as possible this year, after the approval of the negotiating framework by the Council,” read the draft-conclusions. The Council recalls the importance of achieving tangible results and implementing in good faith bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria. The Council welcomes the continued determination of the Republic of North Macedonia to advance the EU reform agenda, which paved the way for the decision to open accession negotiations in March 2020. It takes note that the local elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were respected but numerous shortcomings in the legal framework underscore the need for a comprehensive review of the electoral legislation in a timely and inclusive manner. The Council welcomes North Macedonia’s progress in the field of rule of law, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as the government’s commitment to sustain and accelerate the implementation of EU related reforms, adding that sustainability of these structural reforms is a long-term process, which requires continuous engagement from both the government and the opposition. “The Council encourages all parties to continue to deepen the current reform momentum and to improve constructive dialogue,” read the conclusions. On judiciary, the Council underlines that the focus needs to be on continued implementation of existing strategies and laws and using the tools, which are already in place, in line with EU standards. The independence, professionalism and impartiality of the judicial system need to be ensured, building on the progress already made. The Council notes the efforts to continue to fight against corruption and organised crime, including for high-level cases. “The Council emphasises the importance for the concerned institutions to follow up on the recommendations of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, which has been particularly pro-active in preventing corruption. The Council calls on the Republic of North Macedonia to continue efforts to further strengthen freedom of expression and the safety of journalists,” reads the document. The Council notes that some progress has been made in the area of the public administration and added that ensuring respect for the principles of transparency, merit and equitable representation remains essential. “The country has implemented a comprehensive reform of its intelligence and security services, in cooperation with NATO and strategic partners. The Council underlines that the capacity for parliamentary oversight over the intelligence services needs to be strengthened,” read the conclusions. Finally, it says good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain essential elements of the enlargement process, as well as of the Stabilisation and Association Process. “The Council recalls the importance of achieving tangible results and implementing in good faith bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria,” notes the document. In the document, the Council uses the long name Republic of North Macedonia throughout the text, as required by Bulgaria, while all other regional countries are referred to by their short names.