Italy is following with concern the persistence and the development of the political crisis in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It especially condemns any form of violence against the Institutions – starting with the events of last 27 of April – and hopes that the dialogue between political forces occur in the place designated therefor, namely the Parliament, and in the forms recognised under normal democratic rules. Italy calls for the utmost commitment from all those vested with political responsibilities, with the aim of forestalling any form of violent confrontation and any possible drift towards scenarios liable to refuel dangerous inter-ethnic tension.
Italy acknowledges the election of Hon. Talat Xhaferi as Speaker of the Parliament and hopes that his election might spur a collective effort to find a solution as consensual as possible, so as to lead the Country towards soon having a government endowed with an adequate parliamentary support and in line with the provisions of the Constitution. This development is primarily in the interest of the Country’s population and is indispensable for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to resume the reform process which is the only option that can put the Country on track towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
Italy attributes maximum importance to the progress of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and of the other States of the Region towards European integration and is committed to this aim as the holder of the rotating presidency of the Western Balkans Process.
Italy calls on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the other States of the Region to resolutely proceed towards their European integration and is committed to this aim as the holder of the rotating presidency of the Western Balkans Process. To this end, it hopes that the authorities of Skopje adopt all the necessary measures for the Country to draw maximum advantage from participating in the Process, starting from the Western Balkans Summit scheduled for 12 July 2017 in Trieste.
