Brussels, 28/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 27 February, the European Parliament foreign affairs committee adopted by 55 votes to 5 and one abstention the report by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL, NL) on progress being made by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) with a view to EU membership. MEPs welcome the achievements made by the government in setting up the Ohrid Agreement and the country's economic success, as well as progress made in combating corruption and organised crime. They nonetheless draw attention to the persistent discrimination against the Roma and await further progress in order to depoliticise the country's public administration and improve water quality in particular. Although FYROM received candidate country status in 2005, it still does not have a date for beginning membership talks. In a communication to be adopted on 5 March, the European Commission will put forward criteria that FYROM should meet (“benchmarks”) for initiating talks (EUROPE 9610). If the country meets these criteria, accession talks should open by the end of 2008, states the parliamentary committee's report, which is to be discussed and voted with that on Croatia, during the mini plenary session in Brussels on 10 April. (A.B.)