Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Poposki on Tuesday in Kavadarci said that he expected the European Commission in October to present an objective report on Macedonia's progress and that the start of accession talks was being imposed as a necessity for the EU provided that Brussels wanted to maintain its credibility.

"Considering the October report, yesterday a pre-meeting of the high level accession dialogue was held. (EU) Commissioner Stefan Fule was in Macedonia and we discussed the greatest achievements made in relation to reforms in the judiciary, media, the fights against corruption, public administration reforms and the economy. We believe that Macedonia has never been more prepared when it comes to the above-mentioned issues, political assessments and regarding the application of European standards. In this context, we expect to get an objective report, which will point out the areas where progress has been made and it will also help us to focus on some additional reforms in the future," FM Poposki noted.

He said that Macedonia had been prepared for four years to start negotiations with the EU.

"I believe we have come to a stage in which the start of EU membership talks with Macedonia is being imposed as a necessity for the EU if it wants to maintain the credibility. Our goal is to keep implementing the reforms, they are first and foremost for our own well-being. But we also expect the political leaders of EU countries, including the one that has made the integration road that much harder for us, to give contribution to complete integration of Balkan countries," Poposki added.

On good neighbourly ties - an issue which was raised yesterday by EU Commissioner Fule - the FM stated that Macedonia was building favourable relations with neighbours by offering initiatives and projects and made efforts to create a positive climate in the Balkans. "I anticipate this to be acknowledged in the upcoming report of the European Commission."

"Good neighbourly relations are a logical part of the European integration, too. It is quite logical in the biggest peace project, such as the European Union, an emphasis to be placed on the relations built with our immediate neighbours and with other EU countries as well. We think that the key factor in establishing such relations is openness, joint investments and networking. Therefore, we are focused on the construction of highways, railroad and projects instigating cross border cooperation," Poposki said.

Referring to the EU integration, he added that EU members and those aspiring to join shared the same interests.

"We expect all of our neighbours, especially those that are members of the EU, to pay more attention on concrete projects. I believe this should be recognised in the forthcoming progress report. In the meantime, we are going to make attempts to create a more positive climate in the Balkans," the Minister concluded.

A whole chapter on how to improve the neighbourly ties in the Balkan Peninsula will be dedicated in the upcoming EC report, according to him.

"Macedonia's approach toward its neighbours is sincere. We want to focus as much as possible on the future and to leave behind the issues that have divided us," FM Poposki said on Tuesday.