Samenvatting

Macedonia wants to become a member of the European Union. However the process to become a member state requires many political changes. The Ohrid Framework Agreement was set up to improve the freedom and rights of the ethnic minorities in Macedonia. The ethnic minorities that live in Macedonia are mainly Albanians that live in large communities throughout the country. The requirements to become a member of the Union are challenging for a developing and culturally diverse Macedonia. Macedonia is working hard to fulfil all the requirements in order for its citizens to benefit from being a member of the European Union. It is trying to achieve this goal after the major political instability such as the Kosovo conflict, ethnic unrest, and major economic difficulties by having a clear goal in spite of the complications. The goal of European integration has changed the present government drastically. The many difficulties and challenges that Macedonia faces will be highlighted including border disputes with Greece, minority lack of education, conflicts between minority groups, and minority's biases towards a government they could not previously trust. The Ohrid Framework restored peace in 2001 and in addition the agreement created a framework for the integration of the Albanian minority into Macedonian society, improved education, and health care. The process of the Ohrid Framework Agreement has been important for the legal and governmental policy developments that were aimed to promote equality among ethnic communities. Macedonia is trying to become a modern democracy and has the ambition to become a member state of the European Union.