Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met Monday with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

The interlocutors praised the cooperation fostered by Macedonia and OSCE in all spheres of mutual interest, it stated.

PM Gruevski extended gratitude regarding the contribution and support provided by OSCE for Macedonia in implementing reforms in all social spheres. He informed the OSCE head about his government’s commitment to reform implementation, expected to advance standards in all required fields.

Both Gruevski and Zannier underscored the importance of implementing the June/July Agreement, particularly putting an emphasis on the significance of setting up a new state election commission in compliance with the political agreement.

Discussing the process of organizing the April elections, PM Gruevski said the government was focused on taking all the necessary steps leading to the administration of fair and democratic elections. On his part, OSCE’s Zannier said the organization was prepared to support the election process in line with its competencies.

The interlocutors also discussed the refugee crisis at the meeting.

The Premier elaborated Macedonia’s position on the matter, which is ‘conditioned by the decisions made by the remaining countries along the Balkan route and based on the right and duty of the country to take measures that are in the interest of providing registration and humane treatment of refugees while at the same time being in the interest of the state.

Zannier stated that OSCE was able to secure organizational and technical assistance for Macedonia to manage the refugee crisis. To overcome the challenges from this crisis, a coordinated and joint approach is required by the international community, it was concluded.

Talks, amongst other things, focused on the work of the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office and the laws that regulate the media in Macedonia.

Furthermore, PM Gruevski and OSCE chief Zannier pledged to strengthen the cooperation in all spheres of joint interest.