Stabilisation
and Association Agreement enters into force with FYROM,
The
Stabilisation and
Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia signed in April 2001 enters into force on 1 April 2004, taking the
country another step forward on the road to European integration. This is the
first Stabilisation and Association Agreement to enter into force. The
Agreement commits the parties to further work on political, economic and
institutional stabilisation of the country, institution building and public
administration reform, enhanced trade and economic co-operation, legal
approximation with the Community acquis and
strengthened co-operation on justice and home affairs. The full implementation
of the Agreement will also create a new climate for the development of trade
and investment which are crucial factors for the economic restructuring and the
modernisation of the country.
The Stabilisation and Association
Agreement sets ambitious objectives and provides the framework for an intensive
dialogue at political and technical levels. A Council at ministerial level will
be established, while a Committee and sub-committees will address all issues
covered by the Agreement. They will meet once a year.
In combination with the new European
partnership presented on 30 March by the European Commission, and the other
instruments of co-operation and assistance developed within the Stabilisation
and Association process, the
All countries of the Western Balkan region
have been offered the prospect of eventual membership of the EU, providing
certain conditions are met and reforms achieved. Their preparations are
supported by the Stabilisation and Association process, the policy designed by
the EU to foster its co-operation with the Western Balkan countries as well as
regional cooperation. SAAs are a core component of
this process. The
For
further information:
·
The EU's
relations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - The European
contribution