After the proclamation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Macedonia is in a better position yet the country should work hard on its reforms. At the same time, it should demonstrate good faith in reaching a compromise with Greece over the name issue, say Members of the European Parliament after the raporteur for Macedonia at the EP, Richard Howitt, presented the draft report on Macedonia’s progress in its European integration. Howitt’s draft resolution, which is considered to be balanced, reinstates the adjective

“Macedonian” and suggests opening of membership negotiations between Skopje and Brussels, will now be open for amendments, Dnevnik reports.

Politicians both in Macedonia and Brussels expect a heated amendment debate of the parliamentary groups led by Greek and Bulgarian deputies and lobby groups to last through 10 January. The draft resolution will be put to vote in March.