The outcome of the referendum in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia yesterday demonstrates that the country is firm on the path towards European integration.  Moreover, the outcome shows the willingness of the Macedonian people to continue with the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, a peace deal signed by Macedonia's major political party leaders in 2001 after violence in the country.

The Macedonians have demonstrated that they believe the future of their country lies within the European Union and NATO.  Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (SCSP) Erhard Busek said today.  "With the weekend vote, the Macedonians have demonstrated their maturity in the debate dedicated to work towards these goals and I would like to encourage the government to try to gather a wide consensus among different actors on this sensitive matter."

As a sign of the country's commitment to play a significant role in the region, a series of meetings of the Stability Pact's highest decision-making forum, the bi-annual Regional Table, will be held in Skopje on 19 November.  Macedonian Prime Minister Hari Kostov and UN Special Representative in Kosovo Soren Jessen-Petersen will address the meeting among others.  The event will follow two days of theme-focused Working Table meetings.