The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has welcomed the appointment of Stavros Lambrinidis as the first EU Special Representative for Human Rights. Lambrinidis is a former Greek foreign minister and a member of the European Parliament.

"By appointing a special representative, the EU is sending a strong message about its commitment to further advance human rights and fundamental freedoms both in Europe and around the globe. Stavros Lambrinidis with his political profile and experince will provide visibility of this crucial EU policy, which is reflected in all policies of the Union. This important appointment within the European Union is a recognition and an incentive for the Republic of Greece and Southeast Europe to keep on improving human and minority rights, democracy and rule of law," MoFA says in a press release.

The Republic of Macedonia as an EU candidate country, it adds, shares the goals of EU's human rights policy and cooperates with its members in promoting them at multilateral level.

"Macedonia's candidacy for membership in the UN Human Rights Council in 2014-2016 demonstrates its readiness to take active part in promoting human rights as a fundamental value of the constitutional order and an objective of Macedonia's foreign policy," says the press release.