FYROM: Accession negotiations must begin without further delay.

Following today's vote in the European Parliament on the progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Eduard Kukan MEP said: "We have adopted a good and balanced Resolution. I fully support the key message, calling on the Council to set a date for opening accession negotiations with Macedonia without further delay."

"I am convinced that opening the negotiations will trigger additional reforming efforts in the country. Macedonia should be working on an integration agenda and should receive our support on EU-related reforms. Otherwise the EU's credibility in the country and the region could be undermined. Therefore, I fully support the Commission's initiative to lead the High Level Dialogue focused on the most difficult areas of integration. Full engagement in issues such as judiciary reform, media freedom, the fight against corruption, or electoral reform, is a good investment in future negotiations", he contined.

Concerning the name issue, Eduard Kukan noted: "The EU should be more supportive in the process of finding a solution to the outstanding issue between Greece and Macedonia. It is in the EU's interest - but above all in the interest of both countries - to put this question behind us and concentrate on really pressing issues."

Commenting on the recent violence in the country, Mr Kukan concluded: "At this moment, the political leadership of the country should stand firmly behind its commitments to good inter-ethnic relations and contribute to calming the situation."