Setting of the date for commencing FYRMacedonia's EU accession talks will be discussed in the course of next Hungary's Presidency, the EU Council of Ministers concluded on Tuesday.

At the meeting in Brussels EU foreign ministers notified the European Commission (EC)'s opinion that Macedonia had met the political membership criteria and the recommendation for launching of the accession talks, but the discussion on this matter would be resumed in the course of the next EU Presidency, the conclusion reads.

"Resuming the good-neighbourly relations, including a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue under the UN aegis, is of vital significance. The Council welcomes the high-level dialogue between Macedonia and Greece and expects for it to soon bring results," says the document.

Brussels will keep urging Skopje and Athens to reach an agreement on the name issue, being ready to help in finding a compromise solution, Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere said at a press conference.

The EU Council of Ministers welcomes the country's progress, notified in the EC report, as well as its success to meet the provisions of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Macedonia is urged to resume reforms and invest additional efforts in improving the political dialogue, judiciary, public administration, freedom of expression and business climate. The Ohrid Agreement is considered a key element for democracy and rule of law in the country.

The conclusions of EU foreign ministers are expected to be reaffirmed by the European Council on Thursday. Hungary, which is to take over the EU Presidency on January 1 next year, is going to be the forth country to be engaged with setting a date for opening of Macedonia's EU accession talks. Despite their efforts, previous holders of the rotating EU Presidency, Sweden, Spain and Belgium, failed to make progress to that effect.