The positive progress report on Macedonia and the renewed recommendation - fifth in a row - for opening of negotiations with the European Commission are favorable for the country, it was concluded by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the European Parliament's rapporteur for Macedonia, Richard Howitt at Tuesday's meeting in Skopje.

At the meeting, PM Gruevski expressed gratitude for the commitment, engagement and support demonstrated by MEP Howitt and the European Parliament surrounding the country's EU integration bid, voicing hopes that the progress noted in the positive EC report would be adequately acknowledged with a decision for launching accession talks with the European Union.

"Such a decision would be of immense importance and would inject a positive impulse in Macedonia's accession process," Gruevski said emphasizing that the country remained fully committed to kicking off the next stage of the accession process.

In an attempt to continue pursuing reforms toward further progress and to address the challenges noted in the latest report, the government will draft an action plan to be implemented in the next 12 months, Gruevski told Howitt.

The British MEP praised Macedonia's progress and the measures taken in meeting standards underscoring the necessity of resuming the efforts and engagement to enable improvements to be made in all fields. Howitt expressed hopes that Macedonia's accession would positively affect the development of the country and the region.

The interlocutors vowed the cooperation between Macedonia and the European Parliament to be resumed with strong dynamics, joint approach and support toward reform implementation in every social sphere.