Bildt Urges Respect for Democracy on Macedonia Visit

Former Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt has urged respect for democracy and European values during a trip to Skopje today in an effort to push Macedonian politicians towards solving the country's ongoing tense political stalemate.

"Democracy. Constitution. Europe. Respect for the three will carry Macedonia forward," he tweeted after meeting with the leaders of the main opposition Social Democrats party, the SDSM.

Bildt, who has extensive experience in the Balkans, also acknowledged the depth of the current crisis, which has seen the president block the formation of a government and the election of a speaker of parliament by opposition parties.

"No end in sight for the constitutional crisis in Skopje. Trenches look even deeper. Grave situation," he tweeted on Sunday as he set off for the Macedonian capital.

The diplomat, who is visiting as part of an ECFR mission, will meet with political party leaders including the heads of the main ethnic Albanian party the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE party, and the Albanian Besa party.

However, although some had speculated that he would also meet with Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, a rendez-vous now appears unlikely.

Pro-government media in Skopje reported unofficially that Ivanov, who continues to refuse a mandate to the opposition-led coalition to form a new government, has declined to meet with Bildt.

News portal Republika reported that the refusal was down to "constant EU interference in Macedonia's own domestic affairs". 

Officially the president's cabinet, however, has remained silent.

Meanwhile, Macedonia's parliament on Tuesday resumed a stalled session in which the new opposition-led majority in Macedonia...