The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee adopted Tuesday the final version of a draft resolution on Macedonia's 2011 progress report.

The draft incorporates a call to the European Council to promptly set a date for commencing of Macedonia's EU accession talks. It also emphasis the importance of supporting the country's efforts on the road to the EU membership. To this effect, the MEPs suggest for Macedonia to enter a new stage of the EU integration process, namely opening of the process for harmonizing the national with the European legislation and implementing the second phase of the Stabilization and Association process.

The draft resolution notifies that the European Council's decision to not act in line with the recommendations of the EP and its Foreign Affairs Committee for starting Macedonia's EU accession talks 'has caused legitimate frustration and public discontent in the country.'

The document also underlines that the forthcoming EU and NATO summits provide excellent opportunities for further progress to be made in terms of Macedonia's integration process. On the demand of Greek MEPs, the draft also reminds of the statement of NATO Secretary-General, namely that Macedonia will be invited to join NATO after the name row settlement.

The MEPs consider that the judgement of the International Court of Justice should give new impetus to the UN mediated process for settling the dispute with Greece over Macedonia's constitutional name. They urge both parties to respect the ruling and bolster their dialogue.

A mutually acceptable solution to the name issue is necessary, the draft reads. It also expresses regret that the name row keeps hampering the country's progress on the road to EU, as well as the enlargement process itself. The document reaffirms the significance of good-neighborly relations, calling the respected governments to avoid controversial moves and declarations that could lead to unfavorable consequences.

The MEPs consider that bilateral issues must not be an obstacle to the EU membership.

The MEPs point out that each candidate country has own pace towards the EU membership. However, they believe the Union must not abandon but support each of them. Constant postponing of the accession negotiations undermines the credibility of the EU enlargement process, they say.