PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT 2017-2020 Republic of Macedonia – member of NATO and the European Union Membership in NATO and the European Union are Macedonia’s strategic commitments. They imply better living standards, modern legislation, and higher wages, security of the state and its citizens, new investments, free movement. They are a guarantee for private ownership, freedom and independence of the person, legal and economic safety. Membership in NATO and the European Union implies support for policies that will put an end to partisan judiciary and prosecution, biased partisan media and oligarchs. Our national priority will be to make the Republic of Macedonia a sovereign, valued and prosperous international subject. The Government has a clear vision on how to reach the country’s strategic goals: the development of good neighborly relations and integration of the country into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The Government will implement Macedonia’s strategic goals by taking concrete steps towards a considerate, realistic, and statesmanlike and professionally led foreign policy. It is the only way towards overcoming challenges and threats to progress and security. These are the only policies that can be real contributing factors for promotion of our strategic interests globally. The European Commission’s last report is fully based on the findings of Reinhardt Priebe’s expert team – blurred lines between party and state, all-pervasive organized crime and corruption, and massive violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia will engage in serious and strong international activity in view of enabling Macedonia to start accession negotiations with the EU by the end of next year. Success in this regard can only be attained by a visible domestic reform agenda. Consequently, our key strategic decisions will be based on the recommendations included in the Priebe Report, the urgent reform priorities and the recommendations listed in the High Level Accession Dialogue with the EU. The Government will launch decisive and indiscriminate fight with organized crime and corruption, fundamental reforms in view of promotion of the rule of law and the establishment of independent institutions which will guarantee equality of all citizens under the Constitution and the laws in the Republic of Macedonia. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia will send for adoption to the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia a National Foreign Policy Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia. The Strategy will be drafted in an inclusive process, through consensual support by all stakeholders in the society. Key foreign policy issues will be regularly debated in Parliament and we will try to solicit support across partisan lines. Based on this strategy, the Government will transform the Republic of Macedonia’s involvement in the Berlin Process from passive participant to an active contributor and actively engage in the implementation of its regional networking agenda. Integration, progress and security are highly dependent on good and productive neighborly relations. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia will impose new dynamics in Macedonia’s relations with its neighbors, and insist on constructive cooperation in all spheres on both bilateral and regional level. 12