Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki met Monday in Brussels with European External Action Service (EEAS) Executive Secretary General, Pierre Vimont.

FM Poposki referred to Macedonia's readiness to start European Union accession talks, asking for support towards sooner passing of such decision by the EU Council, in line with the European Commission recommendation.

"We expect the start of Macedonia accession talks, thus strengthening the credibility of the Union enlargement process with Balkan states", said Poposki, underlining the country's commitment for overcoming of the name difference with Greece in the UN-led talks.

Minister Poposki conveyed the Government's firm commitment for continual implementation of reforms in key areas of judiciary, public administration, fight against corruption, media, as well as economic reforms.

EEAS official Vimont assessed that the enlargement process is of exceptional importance for the Union, even in crisis periods, such as the current one. Macedonia's achievements in meeting EU membership criteria are highly acknowledged, whereas the country is encouraged to provide further contribution in this regard.

The meeting also tackled EU's common foreign, security and defense policy, along with EEAS's current priorities in the context of Monday's meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

FM Poposki and Vice Premier for European Affairs Teuta Arifi take part today at the 8. meeting of the EU-Macedonia Stabilization and Association Council in Brussels.

EU will be represented by Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal in the capacity of Council co-chair, along with Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and EU's External Action Service Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak.

Discussions will focus on EU-Macedonia bilateral relations within the Stabilization and Association Process, meeting of political and economic criteria, legislation harmonization with the EU Acquis, financial cooperation, and implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Delegations will also exchange opinions on Western Balkans developments and other international issues of mutual interest.