Brussels, 08/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - After lengthy talks begun on Monday evening (see yesterday's EUROPE) and continued on Tuesday 8 December, the General Affairs Council finally came to an agreement on a message that was far less discouraging than foreseen for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Thus, in conclusions adopted on Tuesday, the EU27 will simply “note” that the Commission recommended in its last progress report that member states should open accession talks with this country. On the other hand, the Council says nothing of the prospects for opening membership talks but simply agrees to return to the matter during the Spanish EU presidency, i.e. by the end of the first half of 2010. The initial draft text discussed on Monday evening by European affairs ministers stipulated that the Council will revert to the matter in March 2010 with a view to setting a date for the opening of accession negotiations. Wishing to ensure that its hands will not be tied in talks with Skopje on the use of the name “Macedonia”, Greece objected to this version of the text and unsuccessfully called for a less specific text without commitment on FYROM membership talks. The launching of accession talks (like any other decision in the field of enlargement) must be decided unanimously by the Council. Greece has always said it will place its veto until the problem of name has been resolved according to its wishes. Carl Bildt said a “constructive and good compromise” on the name should be found “in a fairly short time”. (H.B./transl.jl)