British MEP, Richard Howitt (S&D) has warned Skopje that it risks becoming entangled in "a further frozen conflict" similar to those in Central Europe. Speaking in the FYROM capital as he ended his three year term as the European Parliament's rapporteur for the country's EU membership, Howitt said "those of us from the European Union cannot want a European future for the country more than its people want for themselves." He warned "there had been a timeframe when a solution was possible in the country's long-running name dispute with Greece, which has de facto prevented accession talks from commencing. I said when a similar window re-opens, the country must not lose the opportunity again." The centre-left MEP said FYROM had "no viable alternative than Europe for the future well-being of its people." He added that friendly Member States were "walking away" from the country because of the apparently intractable nature of its problems. "Ultimately progress has to come from within." Howitt is stepping down from the position after being elected as spokesman for the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the Foreign Affairs committee of the parliament, but he said he would remain as shadow rapporteur. He praised former Commissioner Fule and added, "I am satisfied that we have defended the visa liberalisation regime, which I know is so important to people here - as a sign as to whether Europe is really keeping the door open to you." He offered support to the new Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, "I believe he will give great emphasis, among other things, to the economic case for your EU membership." He said that he had tried to encourage reasonable debate on the naming issue and had tried to prevent it being used for political point scoring. But he was concerned for FYROM's future, "However when it comes to the reform process, my experience as Rapporteur for your country and, comparing it with other candidate countries, is that the incentive to make the most difficult reforms comes only as the real prospect of EU accession draws nearer." He added, "Some of the sensitive changes that need to happen in this country on procurement, on combatting corruption, on judicial reform, on media plurality have begun. But I do have the impression - no more - that the decisive changes, the most significant reforms necessary, are still a long way away." He continued, "I believe big steps now will be seen outside and can help to change external perceptions and thus change the decisions needed from outside. But that requires political will that only you within the country can determine." Howitt warned that some EU nations "have been and are willing to leave this country behind." He explained "in wanting deep engagement from EU Foreign Ministers, you are competing with complex situations in the wider region and in the world. We're asking them to come to difficult decisions about Skopje, when they're worrying about Kabul, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Cairo, Kiev." He cautioned, "Momentum appears to me to be a key facet of the EU enlargement process- not just in this country. And not simply the absence of reform but the appearance of deterioration or going backwards, is deeply damaging to the prospects of success." He called for a more independent and pluralistic media and civil society and pledged to continue to support the nation's European aspirations, saying "European Union membership isn't simply about the Government of the country or about this country as a nation state. It's for the people of this country, your well-being, your future and that of your children."
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