PM Gruevski for CNN: Macedonia expects to start accession talks in 2010, to join EU in 2014

London, November 19 (MIA) - Macedonia expects to start the European Union accession talks next year, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said in the CNN Quest Means Business Programme.

- This October Macedonia got a positive European Commission (EC) report,  which has been already submitted to the EU Council along with a recommendation for opening the accession talks. If everything goes well, we should start the negotiations next year, considering the fact that we as a small country may make the necessary adjustments for a short period of time. I believe that for 3,5-4 years at latest we will be able to complete the negotiations, Gruevski told his host Richard Quest.

Macedonia would be disappointed if it failed to join the Union by 2014, Gruevski said, as the chances for success at the moment are rather solid.

- We have good chances now and we are working hard on the matter. We have invested a lot in modernization, reforms and as a result we have gotten positive report and recommendation for opening the negotiations. We shall keep working on reforms in compliance with the (EC) recommendations, said Gruevski, who is touring Britain and Ireland to promote Macedonia's EU membership candidacy.

Macedonia share the values EU is based on, such as democracy, open market...the PM told Guest.

Doest it really, Guest told Gruevski referring to his letter to members of ruling VMRO-DPMNE.

- I use to send a letter to the party membership on annual basis. This letter is being interpreted by the public as a preparation for early elections, which, exclusively for CNN, is not correct. The move is a sort of attempt for mobilizing people to join the progressive forces in the society, Gruevski said.

Asked about Macedonia's expectations for the future, considering its high unemployment rate and trade deficit, Gruevski said the number of jobless people was much higher in the previous period.

- Although still high, it is going downwards. I believe that the unemployment rate will go down as we have taken numerous measures for attracting foreign investors, such the flat tax of 10 percent to personal income, profit... and by the European perspective we will help and encourage foreign investors to take advantage of these benefits, which will mean a lot of new jobs, Gruevski said.