Solana says Macedonia is making fast progress, but no negotiations

Macedonia is moving fast on its way to the European Union, but it is too early to talk about setting a concrete date for launch of negotiations for membership.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said this at a joint press conference in Brussels, after his meeting with the Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski.

By this statement, Solana responded to Gruevski's expectations of launching the negotiations in 2007.

"Macedonia is moving forward quickly, but this is no time to talk about a date", Solana said.

At the meeting, Gruevski briefed Solana on the government's plans for furthering the Euro-integration processes, economic reforms and full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, Macedonian electronic media reported.

Previously, the Macedonian premier met with the president of the European parliament Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Gruevski presented the government's programme for efficient reforms in the fields spanning customs administration, healthcare, public prosecution and stamping out corruption in all areas.