SKOPJE, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia's government is set to take advantage of the fact that it has already secured support from the European Union (EU) and will be engaged to deliver its promises related to reforms deemed key to EU integration process, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Friday.
To accomplish this goal, Zaev called for comprehensive support from the representatives of civil society here covering areas which are crucial for the policy -- creating process in line with the urgent reform priorities, local media reported.
Addressing a thematic consultation meeting in the government with representatives of the civil society, the head of Macedonian government said that the broad cooperation is needed to push ahead reforms' agenda.
According to him, the realization and start of reforms implementation would be an attempt to get an unconditional recommendation by the year's end and a date for start of EU negotiations in 2018.
"We, the government, are ready to learn. You know a lot more than us, because you are experts in your respective fields, which we regard as very crucial for the EU integration process meaning better living standards," Zaev said in address to civil society representatives at a conference.
On behalf of the government, he also sought assistance and support for the reform implementation process and said he would advocate for an inclusive campaign with all stakeholders, from Parliament, the opposition, institutions, the civil sector, etc.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs Bujar Osmani said that the fact that the EU presidency in the next couple of years would be chaired by Bulgaria, Austria and Romania was important for Macedonia.
