The European Commission recommended opening of accession talks between the EU and Macedonia, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said at the press conference in Brussels today, at which the report on Macedonia’s progress for 2009 was presented.

“The country made considerable progress and successfully addressed the key reform priorities, also known as 8+1 benchmarks. The European Commission believes the country meets the Copenhagen criteria and these elements made it possible for the EC to recommend membership negotiations. I believe the Government in Skopje is going to see this as a very strong impetus and an encouragement to finally resolve the name issue, which has been here for 18 years now,” Rehn said.

According to Rehn, keeping good neighborly relations, as well as conducting name issue talks under UN auspices, is of crucial importance.

“This is now more important and more urgent than ever for the good of the country and its European future,” Rehn added.

The final decision of whether and when Macedonia begins accession talks will be taken by the Council of the EU in December.

Macedonia was granted an EU candidate member state status in December 2005.