Brussels, 23/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EPP Group at the European Parliament, the EP's biggest political party, is calling on the European Council to immediately announce (or at least, before the end of the year) a date for the opening of EU accession talks with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Speaking in Skopje on 23 June after a meeting with the country's prime minister, the head of the EPP, Joseph Daul, said: “I want the EU to fix a date, without delay, for the opening of EU accession talks for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The authorities in this country are determined to proceed with the necessary reforms to implement the 'acquis communitaire' but they need a clear political signal from the European authorities in the form of a date for the opening of the negotiations. We mustn't wait any longer”. He added: “I hope that the Belgian Presidency hears this plea”. FYROM was granted official EU candidate country status in December 2005 but is still awaiting the opening of talks. The decision requires unanimous voting at the EU Council of Ministers and is blocked by Greece, which says the country should not be called “Macedonia”. (H.B./transl.fl)