Macedonia's activities over reforms in priority areas within the 2012 EU accession process, judiciary, public administration, fight against organized crime and corruption, and issues related to media freedom were in the focus at Monday's meeting of Vice Premier for European Affairs Teuta Arifi with European Commission's Director General for Enlargement, Stefano Sannino.

"The strategic orientation of Macedonia's faster EU integration remains. We believe the Union will continue to be our strong partner, demonstrating creativity in finding solutions for acceleration of the enlargement process and Macedonia's membership", said Vice Premier Arifi after the meeting, also attended by Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska, Justice Minister Blerim Bexheti, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, and Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski.

Sannino stressed EU's strategic orientation was also faster and complete integration of Macedonia in the Union, recalling on the European Commission's maintained recommendation for start of accession negotiations.

"We hope to complete as much as possible in 2012, close many issues on the agenda, in order to secure Macedonia's faster accession towards the European Union", added Sannino.

He said an Action Plan has been developed with the Government, i.e. priority activities to be implemented in the next few weeks and months, expecting successful cooperation over their enforcement.

"I start the regional visit in Macedonia and I hope larger progress over the country's EU integration will be achieved this year", emphasized Sannino.

Asked if EU integration remained the Government's strategic interest following recent statements by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski that have not sounded optimistic, Vice Premier Arifi stressed there were no dilemmas in this regard.

"EU integration is the most important orientation, which is seen through our efforts", said Arifi.

Pertaining to expectations from today's New York meeting of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz with countries' representatives Jolevski and Vassilakis, the Vice Premier stated the process' revival and resumption is important.

"We should hope for favorable results as long as the process is ongoing", underlined Arifi.