SKOPJE, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) expects the Macedonian government and the opposition to put divisions aside and implement urgent reform priorities, starting with local elections on Oct. 15, the Macedonian Information Agency cited European Commission spokesperson Maja Kocijancic as saying Monday.
According to Kocijancic, the implementation of such reforms is the only way to bring the country back on the path to European integration.
"(The) EU has made clear its position of what it expects when it comes to Macedonia. We are supporting the reform efforts and that clearly includes the expectations when it comes to the upcoming elections and the way forward," the news agency cited Kocijancic as saying at a press conference.
Such statements from the EU came at a moment when Macedonian opposition parties have accused the government of preparing an election fraud for the October local elections.
Spiro Ristovski, head of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE's electoral headquarters, said there was proof that the ruling SDSM had plans to use the state police and state budget to intimidate and bribe voters in local elections.
He also called on Macedonia's election body, the public prosecutor office, and the international community to undertake measures to prevent this from happening.
