Brussels, 11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Austria and Slovakia are in favour of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) opening accession negotiations with the EU before the end of 2012, despite opposition from Greece and the dispute involving FYROM over the name of “Macedonia”. This news was announced by the Austrian minister for foreign affairs Michael Spindelegger and his Slovakian counterpart Miroslav Lajcak.
Spindelegger said: “We believe that Macedonia has waited long enough. For this reason, we will appeal within the EU for a decision to be made that opens negotiations,… towards the end of the year”. He added that even though the problem of the name is “highly sensitive”, it is a “bilateral question… which should no longer block the beginning of accession negotiations”.
FYROM obtained candidate status in 2005 but Greece has blocked the opening of negotiations because unanimity is required at the Council. (CG/transl.fl)