Brussels, 30/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - At the end of his meeting with Branko Crvenkovski, the president outgoing from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the Commissioner for enlargement, Olli Rehn, confirmed the “good progress” made by Skopje towards meeting the conditions of visa liberalisation. Addressing the press, Mr Crvenkovski said that he was optimistic that his country would be able to benefit from a visa obligation waver by the end of the year (if the Commission makes a positive recommendation in June, the Council is expected to make a decision to this effect). Mr Rehn said that with regard to the launch of accession negotiations, which is still subject to respect for the criteria established in March 2008 by the Commission, there were a lot of expectations regarding progress in administrative reform, the legal sector and the fight against crime and corruption. Mr Crvenkovski declared that “the country has institutional capacity and the potential to fulfil these criteria on time” and subsequently obtain the Commission's go-ahead during the publication of the next progress report in October. Although the opening of talks is also stalling due to the dispute between Skopje and Athens on the name, “Macedonia”, Mr Rehn called on the two countries to relaunch discussions in an effort to find a solution without delay. (A.B./trans/rh)