The high-level dialogue beginning in March represents an opportunity that needs to be used efficiently and comprehensively, but the acquiring of a date for start of accession negotiations must remain the main goal of the Macedonian Government, said members of 'Friends of Macedonia' group within the European Parliament, led by Macedonia Rapporteur Richard Howitt, at Tuesday's joint press conference with Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.

"There is a clear pro-European spirit in the European Parliament when it comes to Macedonia", said Slovenian MEP Alojz Peterle, adding he was familiar with the unpleasant feeling of being too long in the EU waiting room.

He stressed that the high-level dialogue would be an added value on Macedonia's path to EU membership.

Slovak MEP Eduard Kukan emphasized the dialogue is good news that needs to be utilized. According to him, Macedonia has more friends in the EP than perceived.

"The obtaining of a date for start of accession talks needs to remain the main goal of your government. I don't know how long will this last, but the high-level dialogue should be fully used in the meantime", said Kukan.

Rapporteur Howitt referred to the Macedonia draft-resolution, which is to be debated in March.

"The resolution clearly reads that the European Parliament supports the start of Macedonia's Union accession talks without delay, whereas adjective 'Macedonian' needs to be used when referring to the language, identity, culture. As a group of friends, we believe that criticism within the draft-resolution is friendly and aimed towards faster integration of Macedonia and improvement of the citizens' lives", added Howitt.

FM Poposki voiced expectation that the European Parliament would maintain the recommendation for start of EU accession talks when the resolution is adopted.

"We believe this will be another added value for our Euro-integration process, increasing the visibility over Macedonia's readiness. It is also significant that EP notes the sensibility in the country over the use of adjective 'Macedonian'. We believe that the practice will take into consideration EU's founding democratic principles", said Poposki.

He added Slovenia and Slovakia's experiences on the Euro-integration road would be used as additional energy towards Macedonia's swift progress on the way.

Members of EP's 'Friends of Macedonia' group are set to meet later today with President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, as well as address the joint session of the parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and European integration, Macedonia-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, and the National Euro-Integration Council.