Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, who is taking part in Thursday's OSCE ministerial meeting in Dublin, on the eve of an EU summit sought backing from his European counterparts in a bid Macedonia to be given a date for start of accession talks with the Union.

"I think that EU members are aware that the reforms completed this year are one of the most significant thus far and that these results require a breakthrough to be made in the integration process. I have emphasised that reforms will be continuously implemented in the period to come with heightened intensity, adding that it is expected the reforms to be recognised by everyone, including those which do not support the decision on formal opening of the negotiations," the FM said .

Poposki on the sidelines of the summit also talked with the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

"I was told that the United States is still our main supporter for EU and NATO membership. They want us to join the two organisations as soon as possible. Our efforts and contribution as a de facto NATO member are appreciated. The US also backs Macedonia and its EU integration bid. Understandably, bilateral issues should be solved by the involved parties. In our case, there is a bilateral issue that has been imposed 20 years ago hindering our progress in integration processes," Poposki stated.

He stressed that Macedonia remained fully committed to the process aimed at finding a solution to the long-standing name row.

"We want to play a constructive role contributing to peace and stability in the region. The US and other European partners appreciate our efforts. However, we also believe that our neighbours also need to demonstrate some commitment to the realization of common goals. The present generation of politicians on the Balkans bear political responsibility to enable the countries to move into the right direction, which is EU and NATO," the FM concluded.