Stabilisatie- en associatie-overeenkomst EU-Macedonië van kracht (en)
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 SAA will help prepare the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to bring its standards and laws more closely in line with the EU. In its report on the Stabilisation and Association process issued on 30 March, the European Commission noted the progress made in progressively complying with the obligations of the SAA. The entry into force of the SAA will require further efforts, supported by increased resources in the administration.
All countries of the Western Balkan(1) 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 former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is the first country to see its SAA enter into force. An SAA has been negotiated with Croatia, and another is under negotiation with Albania.
For further information:
The EU's relations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(1) The Western Balkans include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo (as defined by the UN Security Council resolution 1244).