Press Release: EU – FYROM: Stabilisation and Association Agreement enters into force

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.

European External Action Service: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://eeas.europa.eu/the_former_yugoslav_republic_of_macedonia/index_en.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 1.4.04: Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes the entering into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/declarations/79790.pdf

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