Macedonia to immediately step up talks with Greece aiming at settling the name issue prior a Council of EU meeting, where a decision should be reached on start of accession talks, EU Ambassador Erwan Fouere and Lars Fredén - the Ambassador of Sweden, the current holder of EU presidency - urged Thursday at a session of the National EU Integration Council.

- There's a window of possibilities for the Government to solve the name dispute once and for all. We have waited for so long and there's no reason for an outcome to be further delayed. I call on the Government to take advantage of the moment and to immediately step up negotiations with the Greek government in the frameworks of the process led by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz in order a compromise to be found, which will be in both countries' interest and will push the EU integration process, said EU Ambassador Fouere.

He urged the forthcoming six weeks and one day till a meeting of the Council of EU to be used in the best possible way.

Asked whether there was a real possibility for the name issue to be settled until Dec. 7, Fouere reiterated that the issue was on the table for so long and good atmosphere was created. - Taking into consideration that there were no provocations made by the Government towards the neighbours, such as renaming the highway, I believe this is the real moment for settling the name row, added Fouere.

- We hope and expect the Government to hear this advice and to act accordingly right now, not in six-months' time, Fouere stressed.

Concurring with Fouere, Swedish Ambassador Fredén underlined "the simple fact that the Council of EU adopts decisions with consensus."

- December 7th is a good opportunity that will not happen for a long time, urged Fredén.

Highlighting that Macedonia had no time to waste in meeting two strategic goals - visa liberalisation and a date for launch of talks, Chairwoman of the National EU Integration Council, Radmila Sekerinska said an action plan on reform activities needed to be drafted by year's end.

- The Council is also prepared to assist in the name row settlement by opening a public debate in a bid to create domestic consensus where no one will be able to calculate, she added.