Brussels, 14/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the first meeting of the EU/Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Stabilisation and Association Council, held on Tuesday under the presidency of Bernard Bot with the participation of Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva, the EU recalled that the complete implementation of the 2001 framework agreement ("Ohrid Agreement") is an essential condition to be met by the country if it wishes to made headway along the road to European integration. Decentralisation of the country (including review of municipal limits) is one of the last elements of the framework agreement to be implemented, and much will depend on the referendum to be organised on this on 7 November. While expressing optimism that citizens would approve decentralisation, Mr Bot nonetheless stressed that any delay could "seriously jeopardise further rapprochement with the EU". FYROM this year submitted its request for EU membership and the Commission is already preparing its "opinion". On 1 October this year, President Romano Prodi will be in Skopje to submit the questionnaire to the government, responses to which (in principle expected for early 2005) will serve as a base for drafting the opinion during next year. Ms Mitreva asked the EU on Tuesday to abolish the visa obligation for Macedonian citizens who feel this obligation is a "sign of isolation from Europe". The EU replied that progress in this field will depend on implementation of reforms, mainly that of strengthening the rule of law, the fight against organised crime, corruption and illegal migration, strengthening of external border controls as well as improved administrative capacity and the security of identity papers. Ms Mitreva suggested that the EU and FYROM should begin talks on a re-entry agreement.