The European Commission is supporting Macedonia's integration into the Union, however it is crucial to boost the dynamics of the reform process, EU Ambassador Aivo Orav told the new Deputy PM for European Integration, Fatmir Besimi at a meeting on Friday.

Both interlocutors pointed out the fact that the Council's conclusions reached in December 2012 had laid a solid foundation to speed up the reforms. Deputy PM Besimi said the government was focusing on priorities in meeting the tasks set in the frameworks of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) and the report on good neighbourliness, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.

It was concluded that progress must be made in the coming period in relation to opening negotiations with the EU highlighting the need all relevant factors in the country to contribute to the process and overcome all challenges through dialogue.

Besimi and Orav also discussed the activities carried out by the Macedonian government in implementing reforms and meeting the EU membership criteria.

Moreover, Deputy PM Besimi underlined his preparedness to resume HLAD as well as other projects championing the EU integration process of the country.