The Republic of Macedonia can count on Sweden’s support on a date being set for EU accession negotiations at the European Council in December, it was affirmed on Tuesday.

Deputy PM in charge of European affairs Fatmir Besimi during his working visit to Sweden held talks with the Minister for European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson, members of the Parliament’s EU Commission - Walburga Habsburg Douglas and Fredrick Federley – and with the Foreign Ministry’s state secretary, Frank Belfrage, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.

At a meeting with Minister Ohlsson, Besimi said that Sweden had strongly advocated the EU enlargement policy being a staunch supporter of the Euro-Atlantic integration process of Macedonia. “The support can serve as an example to the process of strengthening the stability and development of Western Balkan countries,” he noted.

“Sweden’s EU presidency in 2009 played a significant role for Macedonia in securing a positive report by the European Commission,  a recommendation for opening of accession talks and approving a visa liberalization with the EU,” the Macedonian Deputy Premier stated.