The joint Macedonia-EU Parliamentary Committee appealed to the Council of the European Union to confirm the recommendation of the European Commission and set Macedonia a date for opening accession talks in the course of the next Cyprian Presidency of the EU that begins on 1 July this year. The Committee, chaired by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, German MEP of Greek descent , expresses regret in the draft Resolution for the omission of the adjective ‘Macedonian’ in reference to the identity, culture and language of the country in the Commission’s report on Macedonia’s progress in 2011 and recommends the European Commission to reestablish the practice of the previous progress reports, Dnevnik reports.

One of the main issues discussed at the meeting of the Committee was the name issue. The Resolution takes into consideration the Judgment of the International Court of Justice and appeals to the governments of both countries to resolve the issue either within the framework of the talks conducted with UN mediation or in direct bilateral talks. It also urges the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Enlargement Commissioner to facilitate the reaching of the agreement, thus contributing to regional stability.

Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said that the name issue imposed by Greece checks Macedonia’s progress and keeps the country from opening accession talks with the EU. However, according to him, Macedonia is building a constructive atmosphere by carrying out reforms and implementing the recommendations of the European Parliament laid out in its reports. Because of its principled approach, the EP is the most respected European institution, Poposki stressed. In his view, it is vitally important that at the Summit of the European Council to be held in Brussels on 28-29 June, a step is taken further ahead that could make it possible for Macedonia to open membership negotiation this year.