Macedonia and Slovenia for EU Expansion to Western Balkans
Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and his counterpart Dimitrij Rupel praised bilateral relations and voiced common interest in the EU's expansion to the Western Balkans as they addressed a joint press conference following Wednesday's talks in Ljubljana. Rupel pointed to Macedonia as the first in the line after Croatia, saying it could get a date for EU talks during Slovenia's presidency. "Macedonia's prospect depends on the EU and NATO. We believe the time of accession is getting irrepressibly closer. Slovenia would like to be among those friends who support and advance this," Rupel said, reminding reporters of Slovenia's support for Macedonia in its aspirations so far.
He reiterated that "there is a possibility for Macedonia to start negotiations with the EU during Slovenia's presidency", in the first half of 2008, while he added that much would have to be done ahead of this.
Milososki said that the launch of talks was a major challenge for Macedonia and that the country would try to convince the EU with concrete results that it was fit for this step. Macedonia has the status of a candidate country since December 2005, while it still has not got the date of accession negotiations.
He thanked Slovenia for its support and stressed that the two countries were friendly and enjoyed excellent relations and expressed pleasure with the growth of Slovenian investments in Macedonia.
Rupel and Milososki also praised the level of cooperation between the two countries in Macedonia's EU accession, as witnessed by a letter of understanding between the two ministries on Slovenia's assistance to the Western Balkan country.
The pair moreover assessed as good collaboration between the two ministries and discussed the agreement on Slovenia's assistance to Macedonia in consular issues, signed during Rupel's visit to Skopje in January.
Rupel and Milososki pledged the support of both countries for the plan of UN Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari as they wanted the future status of the Serbian province to be resolved as soon as possible.
The Macedonian minister was also scheduled to meet the chairman of the parliamentary EU Affairs Committee Anton Kokalj and visit the Slovenian-run centre for European prospects near Ljubljana.
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