Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski saluted the statement of Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, in which he acknowledged the progress in Macedonia's Euro-integration process, saying it reflected the reality since the Government is investing efforts towards bringing the country closer to the EU.

According to PM Gruevski, this is owed to the fact that EU officials come frequently to Macedonia due to the High-Level Accession Dialogue, seeing first-hand the Government's operations, and not relying on individual opinions or media reports.

"Fule comes to Macedonia quite frequently and is able to see things up close. The HLAD gives the EU officials an opportunity to come to Macedonia few times a year and see the Government's activities. I believe this contributes to these statements", he added.

Gruevski said EU officials had the opportunity to listen to all sides, both the Government and the opposition.

"Fule emphasized that Macedonia deserves to move forward. I would add that Macedonia has been doing a lot more on its Euro-integration path than it has received in return. We should have received the accession talks date a long time ago. We would have been in the final stage of negotiations if Greece had not put its barrier", emphasized the PM.

Gruevski underlined that Macedonia wants to solve the name issue as soon as possible, whereas Greece should find a way to unblock the country's Euro-Atlantic integration.