Austrian President Heinz Fischer expressed on Thursday his country's support to Macedonia's efforts in joining the European Union, news from Skopje reported.
"Austria won't be an obstacle, but a strong supporter of Macedonia's road to Europe," Fischer, who is on a two day visit to Macedonia, said after meeting his Macedonian counterpart Branko Crvenkovski.
Fischer pledged that his country will continue to lobby in the EU for the inclusion of all western Balkan countries, once the required criteria are met, Makfax, Macedonia's independent news agency, reported.
Macedonia applied for EU membership in March 2004 and was accepted as a candidate in 2005, but no date has been set for entry talks.
Crvenkovski said Macedonia has a realistic strategy to achieve the goal of joining the EU.
"Our plans include fulfilling our requirements, receiving a positive assessment from the European Commission and acquiring a date for negotiations during the Slovenia presidency of the union, in the first half of 2008," Crvenkovski said.
The two leaders also agreed to intensify economic cooperation between the two countries.
"It is in our interest for Macedonia to improve its economy and to establish solid cooperation between our two countries. The businessmen need legal stability," said Fischer, who is leading a big business delegation on his visit.
Source: Xinhua
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