EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule expects the European Commission's progress report on Macedonia, due to be published in October, to be positive taking into consideration that the country has done a lot in the process of implementing the tasks stemming from the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD).

"Earlier on several occasions, the EC based on the progress report has recommended the member countries to set a date for start of membership talks with Macedonia. This year there is no doubt that a lot has been done in reform implementation within the Macedonia-EU high level dialogue," Commissioner Fule said after meeting Monday with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski when asked whether a positive report by the EC would mean that the country could start accession talks if the name row with Greece hadn't existed.

However, he noted, it is fair to say that decisions on launch of negotiations are made by all members of the EU and it is a political decision.

"Therefore, I emphasised that the implementation of what has been adopted so far must resume by December 2012. And therefore I say that the High Level Accession Dialogue between Macedonia and the EU and the issues covered so far and the results from it will help EU countries to treat this issue constructively," Fule stated.

HLAD has given a chance to Macedonia to show what it can do, according to him.

"It is being monitored by member countries with great interest. It is good that the government is realising the tasks in relation to electoral laws and decriminalization of slander. However, there is still work to be done. HLAD is marked by two characteristics - dedication and partnership. I am convinced that the third one will emerge soon and that is full implementation of what has been done so far," the Commissioner concluded.

PM Gruevski expects the EC report to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of the government in implementing tasks and reforms and to be assessed accordingly.

"Start of EU entry talks as soon as possible is still our primary goal. Such decision will preserve the credibility of the EU enlargement process and will provide certainty of our Euro-Atlantic process," Gruevski said.

The past six months, he added, have been marked by an impressive interaction between Macedonia and the EC, whose dynamics and essence have positively affected the key reforms and Macedonia's accession process.

"I wish and I hope that we will join forces in order this momentum to result in a date to be fixed by the EC for start of EU membership talks as soon as possible," the Macedonian Premier said.

Considering current developments within the ruling coalition, Gruevski stressed that relations were complex and that the coalition partners were facing challenges and that efforts were made to overcome them.

"While seeking solutions, we are motivated by the basic goal of creating space for effective and steady implementation of reforms. I would like to emphasise that the government and state organs are working with full capacity, whereas challenges and different viewpoints do not have the potential to cause destabilisation of inter-ethnic relations and tensions in the society," PM Gruevski said.

Commissioner Fule urged that greater significance should be given to political stability, rather than ethnic foundation, by political parties. The Ohrid Framework Agreement, he added, creates an opportunity and lays a foundation for all ethnic communities to live together.

Fule raised the issue of good neighbourly ties with Gruevski for the first time today.

"The message I conveyed to PM Gruevski and his colleagues is that Macedonia should remain committed to improving the relations with all of its neighbours with constructive approach, taking into account the sensitive issues of the partners," the EU Commissioner said.

PM Gruevski said that Macedonia wished for and made efforts to establish good ties with all of its neighbours, however "the issue cannot be seen solely through the dispute with the constitutional name imposed by Greece". Still, he added, we remain committed to finding a prompt solution to the issue by boosting the UN-brokered talks and by having direct bilateral contacts, which haven't taken place in the past year unfortunately.

Macedonia also remains committed to improving the cooperation with Greece in all spheres, the PM said.