E UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/MKD/CO/1 15 January 2008 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Thirty-seventh session 6-24 November 2006 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/MKD/1) at its 42nd, 43rd and 44th meetings, held on 13 and 14 November 2006, and adopted, at its 56th meeting, held on 22 November 2006, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report, albeit late, of the State party which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, and of the written replies to its list of issues. 3. The Committee welcomes the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included a number of experts from various Government departments, as well as the detailed, well-structured and frank answers to the questions asked by the Committee. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with satisfaction the recent adoption of an Electoral Law introducing a quota system requiring one-third representation of women in Parliament and of a Law on Equal GE.07-42689