"The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the EU entered into force in April 2004. The European Council granted the status of candidate country to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in December 2005. The Commission recommended for the first time to the Council to open accession negotiations with the country in 2009. In 2015, the Commission stated that it was prepared to extend its recommendation, conditional on the continued implementation of the Pržino

Agreement, which was facilitated by Commissioner Hahn and three Members of the European Parliament in 2015, and substantial progress in the implementation of the 'Urgent Reform Priorities'.

The deep political crisis continued in 2016, exacerbated by the attempt to pardon individuals charged or allegedly involved in the wiretaps. This decision was rescinded in the face of national and international protests. The Pržino agreement is partially implemented and limited progress was made in terms of concrete implementation of the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’.

The agreements and important decisions taken in summer 2016, which pave the way for early parliamentary elections, provide an opportunity for the country's leaders to finally overcome the long-lasting crisis."

For more information the full Report in available in the attachments.