Austria and Slovakia strongly support Macedonia's EU and NATO integration, believe the country has waited too long for a start of EU accession talks and will lobby for this to happen by the year-end, said countries' Foreign Ministers Michael Spindelegger and Miroslav Lajcak respectively at Tuesday's joint press conference after a meeting with Macedonian counterpart Nikola Poposki.

"We believe 2012 should be the year of Macedonia. We believe that Macedonia has waited for too long. After seven years having a candidate status, it is time to undertake the following steps following the European Commission recommendations. That is why we will lobby in the European Union for a decision on the launch of the accession negotiations for your country by the year-end", said Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

According to him, Macedonia should be satisfied with prior achievements, but more efforts are required. In this context, the country should use the high-level accession dialogue as an instrument to achieve progress, whereas the start of Montenegro's EU accession talks and Croatia's entry in 2013 should serve as stimulation in this regard.

Spindelegger also referred to the name issue, which hinders the country's Euro-integration.

"The name row is an exceptionally sensitive issue. We are aware of this, but it is still a bilateral issue, which should no longer block the start of accession negotiations. We must separate the name issue from the beginning of the negotiations with a clear message that the issue must be solved before the end of accession talks", stressed the Austrian FM.

According to him, it is important that Macedonia is proactive in the issue and refrain from any provocative activities, which could be used as an excuse for new blocks.

"There are many challenges, but we can support you in the EU if you do your job", underlined Spindelegger.

Slovakia's Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said Macedonia should be the next country to start EU accession talks, with Bratislava and Vienna assisting this process, whereas the country should completely focus on the reform process.

"The process of launching the negotiations includes technical and political aspects. While the technical are easily perceived, the political part involves the convincing of all 27 member-states there is political will to solve the bilateral issue", added Lajcak.

FM Poposki emphasized the trilateral meeting demonstrated strong support to Macedonia's EU and NATO integration, adding the country would like to deliver as much results as possible in the high-level accession dialogue, thus obtaining the date for start of accession negotiations sooner.

Regarding the new Greek government, he was less optimistic over expectations.

"We are fully committed to an open dialogue with any Greek government towards overcoming all issues standing in the way of our bilateral relations. We will assess the constructiveness and sincerity of this government, as with the others before, on the basis of gestures, not declarative commitments", added Poposki.

Slovakia and Austria's Foreign Ministers Lajcak and Spindelegger are set to meet with President Gjorge Ivanov, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski during the day.