Jean-Claude Juncker begins Balkan tour in Macedonia

SKOPJE, (Patria) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker began his Balkan tour in Macedonia - in Skopje, he held talks with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, reported Al Jazeera Balkans.

A meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov is also planned.

Juncker welcomed the pace of reforms on the path to European Union membership and announced the imminent opening of negotiations.

However, Macedonia must resolve the name dispute with Greece on its own, Juncker said.

He said he expects the EU to open negotiations with Macedonia.

'You are on the right track'

After meeting with the Macedonian Prime Minister, he welcomed the implementation of reforms in the country, which, as he said, surprised the world, such as the signing of the agreement with Bulgaria.

"I have not come to set you a final date, but to tell you that you are on the right track, and if you continue on the path of reforms, in a few months you will create the conditions for opening negotiations. But we are not there yet, there are still a few steps to be fulfilled, but you are doing a lot in this field," Juncker stated.

The Macedonian Prime Minister said that they are seriously committed to resolving the sensitive dispute with Greece, which would open Macedonia's path to the EU and improve the quality of life.

"Closing long-standing open issues is not a simple move. These are sensitive issues for our citizens. Encouraged by the friendship treaty with Bulgaria, we are moving forward to overcome the key problem that Greece has regarding the country's name. With Prime Minister Tsipras, we are working to close this long-standing and arduous problem, the resolution of which will open the path for Macedonian integration."

In the coming days, Juncker will also visit Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

Continue with reforms

At the beginning of February, the European Commission published the Strategy for the Western Balkans, which includes areas that are the main challenges for the countries of that region on their European path, among which they highlighted maintaining good neighborly relations and resolving bilateral disputes, as well as the rule of law.

Juncker's main message is that countries must continue with reforms to support their European future. In the next five days, the President of the European Commission is scheduled to visit seven cities.

He is accompanied by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. After Skopje, they will travel to Tirana, Belgrade, Podgorica, Sarajevo, and Pristina, and the tour will conclude in Sofia, where a joint lunch with the leaders of the Western Balkan countries is planned, reports Patria.