Macedonia Pushes For Early Start To EU Membership Talks

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (left) with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn (epa) Sept 12, 2006 -- Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski today said that his government hopes the European Union will next year set a date for the Balkan country to start negotiations on joining the bloc.

Gruevski spoke after talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels.

The commissioner was noncommittal about naming 2007 as the starting date for negotiations, but he said Macedonia still needs to undertake reforms and to increase political stability.

Gruevski came to power after elections in July.

(dpa, AFP)