EU enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn (R) holds talks with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in Skopje, Macedonia, July 23, 2009. Olli Rehn said on Thursday that he expects Macedonia to start accession talks with the EU this fall. (Xinhua/Macedonian Information Agency) Photo Gallery>>>

    TIRANA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The EU enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, said on Thursday that he expects Macedonia to start accession talks with the EU this fall, news reaching here from Skopje reported.

    "There are real chances for Macedonia to meet the requirements and get a date for opening accession talks with EU this fall," Rehn told a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

    Macedonia has been awarded an EU membership candidate status since 2005. For years, it has been longing to get a date to start entry talks.

    "However, it will depend on whether the results can be delivered in the next two months. And I expect Macedonia to demonstrate the political will in meeting the requirements on judiciary and public administrations," Rehn said.

    Rehn also urged Macedonia to resolve the 18-year-long name dispute with its southern neighbor Greece, saying the start of accession talks requires the consent of all EU members. Greece is an EU member state.

    Athens has been opposed to its neighbor being called the "Republic of Macedonia," arguing it implies a territorial claim over a Greek northern province also called Macedonia.

    Macedonia's NATO membership was blocked by Greece over the dispute between the two countries in April last year at a NATO summit in Romania.