I see a perspective the European Commission by year's end to launch accession negotiations with Western Balkan countries, for example with FYRMacedonia, where Sunday's parliamentary polls were successfully organised, Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, told a press conference on Friday in Brussels.

"The time is now for FYRMacedonia," he noted voicing his expectations that Athens and Skopje will seize the moment to reach a solution, as recommended by EU.

"The European Commission wrapped up today the negotiations with Croatia, the work is done," Fule added. "Now, EU member states should decide whether the negotiations are to be considered completed and an accession agreement to be signed," the commissioner said.

He stated that Croatia's road to EU was kicked off back in October 2005 and in the meantime the country had made serious changes in securing the rule of law and market economy.