Brussels, 20/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - At the second meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council of representatives of the EU and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in Brussels on Monday, jointly chaired by Macedonian foreign minister Ilinka Mitreva and British European Affairs Minister Douglas Alexander, the EU stressed the future of this Balkan state lay within the European Union. In 2004, FYROM formally requested to join the EU and the Commission is currently in the process of preparing its opinion, expected to be unveiled before the end of the year. The prime minister of Macedonia recently explained that the country hopes to be able to enter accession negotiations in 2006. Macedonia has already signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and the EU delegation stressed on Tuesday that effort must now focus on implementation of the SAA. It is important for Macedonia to boost and speed up reform. In terms of the political situation, the EU welcomed the launch of the decentralisation process on 1 July 2005 and urged the government to 'ensure smooth and sustainable transfer of power to the local authorities.' The EU also highlighted the need to reform the policy and judicial system, step up efforts to combat corruption and reform the civil service. In terms of the economy, FYROM is described as making 'progress in ensuring macroeconomic stability, although serious weaknesses in the business climate remain to be overcome and the level of foreign direct investment remains low.' The Stabilisation and Association Council 'noted the proposal tabled by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for defining in concrete terms the conditions that would lead to facilitation and full liberalisation of the visa regime'. Macedonia has already decided to temporarily lift the visa regime for all citizens of the EU.