I am here before you because the Republic of Macedonia wants to become a member of the European Union. We are part of Europe and the country is doing everything in its power to join the organisation. Macedonia is a candidate county for six years and is willing to launch negotiations, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said Tuesday in his address before the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

"It has been jointly concluded that now is the right time for settling the long-standing name dispute with Macedonia's southern neighbour," FM Poposki said following his address and urged the opportunity to be seized.

He pledged the current approach of blocking to be overcome and efforts to be made in solving the name row, which "is of mutual interest."

"The fact that Macedonia got a recommendation for start of accession talks with the EU for three years running, including with the constructive pledges conveyed to the government of Greece - which have been actively upheld by Macedonia - have contributed Macedonia's readiness to be recognised by European Union officials. If Greece establishes a constructive approach towards finding a name solution, then it can be expected the Council of Europe to suggest start of negotiations in 2012," Poposki stated.

MEPs at the session posed inquires to FM Poposki in relation to expectations from the upcoming judgement delivered by the Hague International Court of Justice on the Macedonia vs Greece case.

"On December 5, an outcome is expected regarding the lawsuit launched in 2008, which is solely in the hands of the Hague court. Macedonia, being an accountable UN member, has absolutely no impact over the decision and we will be dedicated to abiding by international law," Poposki stated.