The Council adopted a Decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the EU's accession partnership with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – FYROM (see Council document 5351/08).
The Decision is based on Regulation No 533/2004 on the establishment of partnerships within the framework of the stabilisation and association process for the Western Balkans (see CNS/2003/0267). It updates the current partnership, identifying renewed priorities for further work on the basis of the findings of the Commission's 2007 progress report on FYROM's preparations for further integration with the EU.
The accession partnership is a key feature of the pre-accession strategy, identifying new as well as remaining priorities for action and providing guidance for financial assistance.
The Decision repeals Decision 2006/57/EC.