Macedonië stelt aanvraag EU-lidmaatschap uit door plots overlijden president (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Macedonia's application for EU membership has been postponed following the death of the country's president, Boris Trajkovski.

He died in a plane crash over Bosnia today (26 February) - the day the western Balkan country was to formally apply to be a candidate for membership of the European Union.

European Commission President Romano Prodi said, "This is a very sad day. A very sad day for Macedonia that loses a wise and balanced leader. A very sad day for the Balkan region for whose integration he had spent so much effort".

"[Mr Trajkovski] has long been the architect and the guarantor of the European vocation of his country and certainly its best advocate towards the international community".

Irish prime minister and current head of the EU Bertie Ahern said, "I have conveyed my deep sympathy to Prime Minister Crvenkovski on behalf the European Union and the Government and people of Ireland".

"President Trajkovski was a man of passion, a great politician and a great patriot. He opened a road of change for his country and he opened the way to bring it closer to the European Union", said the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.

A planned ceremony for the presentation of Macedonia's application today in Dublin has been postponed.

"I have assured the Prime Minister we will of course reschedule today's ceremony for a later date during Ireland's EU Presidency", said Mr Ahern.

Macedonia was one of six republics of the former Yugoslavia - it proclaimed its independence by referendum in September 1991.