Macedonian opposition leader pulls out of crisis talks in Brussels
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 5 June 2015 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Macedonian opposition leader pulls out of crisis talks in Brussels, 5 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc4e44a.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 05, 2015
Macedonian opposition leader Zoran Zaev. (file photo)
Macedonian opposition leader Zoran Zaev says he is pulling out of the June 10 negotiations mediated by the EU that aim to end a long-standing political crisis in his country.
Zaev, the head of the Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia, cited on June 5 comments made by EU enlargement commissioner and chief mediator Johannes Hahn that he said contained "biased elements."
Hahn had brokered a deal between Zaev and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski for early elections to be held next year.
Hahn had hoped to seal the agreement next week in Brussels.
Gruevski's conservative government has been under pressure since January over a raft of damaging wiretap disclosures released by the opposition, which is seeking his resignation.
Both sides have held major street protests.
Zaev was in Bulgaria on June 5 for a meeting with members of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and other officials.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Macedonian media
Link to original story on RFE/RL website