There
are real chances for Macedonia to meet the benchmarks and get a date
for opening of the European Union (EU) accession talks this fall , EU
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Thursday at a joint press
conference with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
- However, it will depend on the results that are going to be delivered in the next two months, Rehn said.
The EU will play fair, which means no altering of the criteria for opening of the EU accession talks, Rehn said.
- I am impressed by the quality and speed of the
conducted reforms for annulment of the EU visa requirements. It is a
confirmation of the commitment, political will of the Government,
Parliament and state institutions to achieving the desired goal, Rehn
said, pointing out that the list of criteria that Macedonia should meet
is becoming shorter.
The remaining tasks Macedonia should complete in
order to enter the next phase of the EU integration process include an
adoption of law on parliament, changes to the laws on public
administration and financing of political parties. The EU enlargement
chief also underlined the importance of implementing the Ohrid
Framework Agreement.
The name dispute is a bilateral matter, not part of
the criteria for opening of the EU entry talks, Rehn said. However the
practical start of these negotiations requires the consent of all EU
members, he added.
The EU is welcoming the resumed efforts of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz towards settling the name row, Rehn said.
There are many opportunities that should be exploited for final settling of this matter, he added.
Gruevski reiterated the Government's commitment to
meet all benchmarks, saying that in the upcoming period it would be
focused on all activities that should result in a positive European
Commission report on the country's progress and hence to launching of
the membership talks. The EC recommendation for annulment of visa
regime is an additional boost to this effect, the PM said.
This afternoon, Rehn is scheduled to meet Parliament
Speaker Trajko Veljanovski and members of the National EU-Integration
Council. He also had a meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov.
Rehn's visit to Skopje is part of his Western Balkan
tour. He visited Belgrade and Podgorica on Wednesday and would head for
Sarajevo on Friday.
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