Prime Minister Nikola Grueski and EP rapporteur for Macedonia Richard Howitt discussed Thursday in Skopje on the country's EU-integration process.

Gruevski and Howitt agreed that the positive European Commission's report and the fifth in a row recommendation for launching of Macedonia's EU accession talks presented a confirmation of the country's achievements to that effect.

Highlighting the significance of European institutions' support for Macedonia, Gruevski thanked Howitt over the European Parliament's commitment to and engagement in the country's progress on the road to the EU membership.

Macedonia has been addressing the remarks of the latest EC report and remains ready to enter the next phase of the accession process, Gruevski told Howitt.

The PM reaffirmed Macedonia's readiness to talk about the name issue – the only obstacle to the country's Euro-Atlantic integration.The engagement and support of EU and all of those who can contribute to finding an acceptable solution to the matter are welcomed, Gruevski told Howitt.

Commending Macedonia's progress, Howitt reiterated the EP support of the country in its efforts to deal with the present challenges. All chances that may lead to eliminating the only obstacle - the name row - to the country's Euro-Atlantic integration should be exploited, Howitt said.