Brussels, 7 October 2010 (MIA) - President of the Democratic Union of Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, who is in a three-day visit to Brussels, met Thursday with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.
The message from the joint meetings with EU officials, according to him, is that Macedonia doesn't have and shouldn't seek "plan B" - on the contrary it must focus on implementing reforms and obligations and most importantly it must use the moment to settle the name dispute with Greece thus paving the way for Macedonia's perspective.
"I told all of my interlocutors that we will try and be useful and constructive in finding a solution, which will be acceptable for both sides and a solution which will unblock Macedonia's integration process", Ahmeti stated.
When asked whether discussions took place about a request for NATO membership and EU entry talks without having a name compromise, Ahmeti said that the said option - talks without name settlement or accepting a request for negotiations under the country's reference - had never been discussed by a party organ.
He added that DUI and all political parties of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia championed a name compromise, which would not contain references of ethnic origin.
"DUI is fully committed to collaborating with international and local partners in order to move the name process ahead. We are not interested to see Macedonia making moves backwards. We aim at opening perspectives for the citizens", said Ahmeti.
He rejected any possibility of early elections in Macedonia, emphasising that local institutions were stable and functioning well.
"I believe we're in a period where efforts should be made to find a name solution with Greece in order to enable country's integration to NATO and EU, the DUI leader said.
Furthermore, Ahmeti stressed that the economic situation in Macedonia was improving. "There is a positive climate for foreign investments, new jobs are being opened and social issues are being closed", he said.