Starting from the fundamental values of the constitutional order of the Republic of Macedonia,

Expressing the firm determination of the Republic of Macedonia to share the common European future, based on common values and strivings,

Confirming the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to the principles of market economy and to constructing democratic society based on the respect for human rights, as well as confirming the readiness to meet the criteria for accession to the Union, stipulated by the European Council of Copenhagen in 1993,

Welcoming the entering into force of the Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Community, as a significant step in regulating the relations with the European Union on the agreement basis, and stressing the need to implement it efficiently,

The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia

1. Underlines that the membership in the European Union is a strategic aim of the Republic of Macedonia.

2. Emphasises the readiness to raise the level of relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Union by concluding a European Agreement for associated membership, based on consistent implementation of the criteria of the 1993 European Council in Copenhagen, with granting the Republic of Macedonia an individual treatment in valorising its results in respect to this process.

3. Confirms the determination to promote the relations with the neighbouring countries through dialogue, as an essential contribution both to the stability of the region and to the promotion of the relations with the European Union.

4. Stresses the determination to observe the international and European standards on human rights, civil freedoms and nationalethnic equality and, in this context, the commitment to permanent cohabitation between the Macedonian people and the nationalities living in the Republic of Macedonia.

5. Underlines the resoluteness of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to dynamize the process of coordination of the Macedonian legislation with the legislation of the Union.

6. Is specially committed to transparency in the decision-making process on the relations and further co-operation with the European Union and to instigating the public opinion and the public awareness of them.

7. Stresses the importance of mutual information between the organs of the legislative and executive powers of the Republic of Macedonia concerning the process of approaching the Union.

8. Emphasises the readiness of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to strengthen the cooperation with the European Parliament by continuing the mutual meetings of the delegations from the two parliaments, by setting up a joint parliamentary committee with the European Parliament and using other forms of co-operation.

9. Especially stresses the need of continuing endeavours of the delegations and representatives of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in the international activity of the Assembly with the aim of affirming the determination to be integrated with the European Union.

10. Estimates that there is a need to set up a co-ordinating working body on the assembly activities regarding the Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

11. This declaration will be published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia".

ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

no. 07-460/1
4 February, 1998
Skopje
PRESIDENT
OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OFMACEDONIA,
Tito Petkovski