Thus far Slovenia and Croatia have enabled Macedonia to speed up and be more efficient in meeting the obligations on its road to the European Union, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said Thursday.

"We haven't forgotten that Ljubljana and Zagreb, since the declaration of our independence, had neither reserves nor dilemmas over our identity, name and our uniqueness within the Balkan kaleidoscope of nations. We are pleased that our friends also demonstrate the same approach and respect at the international forums and organizations," Poposki said at a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties of Macedonia with Slovenia and Croatia.

He praised the development of the friendly relations and fruitful cooperation among the three countries for the last 20 years, expressing belief that their friendship would last for ever.

Macedonia expects for Slovenian, Croatian support of Macedonia's accession to the EU and NATO to get in intensity in the upcoming period, namely until the realization of the country's aspirations to join these organizations, which is in favor of the stability, prosperity of the three countries and wider region, Poposki said.

According to Slovenian Ambassador to Macedonia Alain Brian Bergant, it is a high time for political paths of the two countries to meet again, this time under the EU, NATO umbrella, as it has been the case with Ljubljana and Zagreb.

"Slovenia wishes for Macedonia to soon become full-fledged NATO member and start the EU pre-accession negotiations, as it deserves that and belongs to the family of Euro-Atlantic states. We are at Macedonia's disposal on the road to the Euro-Atlantic organizations, offering the country our experiences, knowledge and good practice," Bergant said.

For the last 20 years since their independence the three countries have gone through a serious process of transformation in favor of building democratic societies, Croatian Ambassador to Macedonia Zlatko Kramaric said.

We must not put an end to our efforts for building a democratic society, i.e. independent institutions, rule of law, free media, open market, independent civic scene, human rights, he said.

"Let's consider the symbolic cultural capital of our common past as a sound base for our common future, and meet all together in the united European family of nations," Kramaric said.

President Gjorge Ivanov, representatives of the Government and diplomatic corps to Macedonia attended the ceremony.

Macedonia established diplomatic ties with Slovenia on 17 March 1992, and few days latter, namely on 30 March with Croatia.