BRUSSELS, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Macedonia said it will try to become the next Balkan state to join the European Union, setting a timetable for accession by 2010.
The former Yugoslav Republic made its intentions known in a response to a European Commission survey. The Commission will now prepare a status report assessing Macedonia's prospects for EU entry/ That report will be presented to members by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski told reporters he hopes EU members would be willing to start negotiations by 2006.
"There is a unity and cohesion among our citizens and all the political parties, that becoming a candidate country -- and later achieving full EU membership -- is the only path for us to follow," he said.
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso declined comment on the proposed timetable.
Macedonia first applied for EU membership last March. Following the accession of Slovenia last year and Croatia -- which should begin talks this spring -- Macedonia might become the third Balkan country to join the Union.
