A speech by the president of the Committee of the Prime Ministers of Europe complicates the relations between FYROM and Europe. During Sunday’s election, some acts of violence "showed in bad a light the election" and the country’s level of democracy. Carl Bildt, Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his position as the current president of the CoE, repeats what has already been voiced by some EU’s sources (which the country is a nominee for). "I noticed with great concern states Bildt that, even if the election had been properly organised, in many areas it was impossible for the voters to freely express their vote because of serious deeds of violence and intimidation". Bildt asks the authorities concerned "to hand over the authors of such violence to justice". The executives of the Council of Europe invite "all the political forces" of FYROM "to start a dialogue to overcome this difficult situation. It is important to act responsibly to renew the citizens’ confidence in the political and electoral system" and "make the country keep progressing towards the strengthening of its democracy, human rights and constitutional law, which are prerequisites for its further inclusion in Europe".
