Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki met Thursday with the European Parliament's rapporteur for Macedonia, Richard Howitt.

Poposki informed Howitt about the results stemming from the recent meeting of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) with the European Commission and reaffirmed the country's priority - immediate start of EU accession talks.

At the meeting, gratitude was expressed for the EP's support and constructive approach in the EU integration process of Macedonia, MoFA said in a press release.

MEP Howitt praised the results in meeting tasks in all areas covered with HLAD.

The British MEP emphasised the full support for immediate start of membership talks. He pointed out the increased interest of European stakeholders in preserving the credibility of the enlargement process.

At the meeting, both interlocutors expressed expectations that an open and clear support for prompt launch of accession talks with Macedonia would be manifested not only by geographically more distant EU members, but also but those member countries in the immediate surrounding.

In this context, it was jointly concluded that EU membership should not be used as an instrument and means for exerting pressure over aspiring candidate countries. According to the interlocutors, it is more useful energy to be focused on boosting communications and all kinds of cooperation.

Poposki and Howitt shared views on current developments in Macedonia, agreeing that the civil platform was the right path toward the European Union.

MEP Howitt is in Macedonia to be informed about its progress regarding EU integration ahead of preparations for the next EP resolution on Macedonia, stated the press release.