We believe that there are signals for optimism and that further headway in resolving the name issue is possible very soon, said Spanish Ambassador to Macedonia Maria Garcia de Lara in her interview for Radio Free Europe.

In her view, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos’s announced visit is going to demonstrate the European support for the ongoing process under UN auspices.

“We believe that the Western Balkans belongs to the Union. The results achieved in this country, especially in 2009, are good and I am sure Minister Moratinos is going to encourage the authorities in the negotiating process,” Ambassador De Lara said.

She believes that the European Union fully backs the negotiating process. However, it should be taken into account that the Union is not part of it.