"The time is right Macedonia to start accession negotiations with the European Union. Not a single country in the European Union would feel any consequence or setback if negotiations are opened", the President of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Heinz Fischer, said after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Vienna.

Austria, President Fisher stressed, has a clear position on this issue, good arguments to support the process as much as possible.

"Austria is a member and initiator of the Group of Friends who are positive regarding the decision for opening negotiations. It certainly includes mediation and discussion among countries which are in favor of opening negotiations and, for example, Greece and Bulgaria", President Fisher said.

According to him, Austria is ready for dialogue and positive outcome of the dialogue because, as he emphasized, it is a fact that five years in a row the European Commission says that the Republic of Macedonia has met the necessary criteria to start negotiations.

"Meeting necessary criteria does not mean that everything is already perfect, but rather that a certain level is reached and you should continue to build modern society based on the rule of law, fight against corruption", the Austrian President said.

The achievements imply, as he reiterated, that negotiations should start.

The Macedonian President Ivanov stressed that no one would lose if the Republic of Macedonia starts negotiations for EU membership. With that, President Ivanov said, the EU would restore its credibility, precisely with Macedonia's issue.

"Many countries in the Balkans are moving forward, only status quo prevails in the Republic of Macedonia, due to the name issue with Greece. We want to overcome it as soon as possible", President Ivanov said.

At today's meeting, both presidents agreed that the main common goal, interest and direction in which the European Union should move is shared values and policy which would include the Western Balkans in the European community.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation and economic problems faced by almost all countries in Europe.

Austria, as President Fischer and President Ivanov stated, was and remains a strong supporter of the Republic of Macedonia in every field, in the European integration, as well as in the economic and political context.

President Ivanov is paying today a working visit to the Republic of Austria. Tomorrow, the Macedonian President will attend and address the 3rd Annual Conference of the Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation.