Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at a Monday meeting in Rome with his Italian counterpart Mario Monti sought support for a date for start of EU membership negotiations to be set, as recommended by the European Commission and ahead of a meeting of the European Council in December.

Rome's pledge for Macedonia's integration into Euro-Atlantic organisations was reaffirmed at the meeting.

"Ahead of the December summit, we believe it is a good thing to hold talks with the Italian Premier about our bilateral relations, and most importantly about our aspirations to get a date for start of accession talks. In this context, today I met with my Italian counterpart Mario Monti to discuss the bilateral relations, which are excellent"," PM Gruevski stated.

At the meeting, he mentioned the judgement of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, highlighting the country's efforts in solving the name issue with Greece. At the same time, Gruevski asked Italy's support to be resumed and strengthened, especially at the December summit.

Both interlocutors welcomed the excellent relations between the two countries, vowing to make efforts to intensify them, Government's press service said. Talks focused on the efforts aimed at boosting business ties, foreign exchange and opportunities for investing.

PM Gruevski presented the reforms conducted in Macedonia, which have been praised by the European Commission in its latest progress report on Macedonia.

The Macedonian Premier stressed the country's commitment to pursuing reforms and settling outstanding issues that affect the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

On his part, PM Monti underscored the support provided by Italy for Macedonia, upholding Italy's commitment in endorsing EU and NATO membership of all SEE countries.

At the same time, Gruevski and Monti discussed economic developments in the continent, the current European debt crisis and its consequences and mechanisms to tackle it and to enable conditions for economic growth and development.