Macedonia has been making progress in meeting European standards, however a lot of work is ahead. The judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should serve as an encouragement in finding a name solution, while a dialogue between the neighboring countries should lead to an agreement, Vice PM for EU Affairs Teuta Arifi said at Tuesday's joint session of the National EU Integration Council and the Parliament's European Affairs Commission.

At the session, Vice PM Arifi presented achievements of the action plans aimed at harmonizing the Macedonian legislation with EU's in 2011.

According to her, efforts were being made to meet the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations on advancing the election process, headway was marked in fulfilling the Ohrid Framework Agreement in terms of the use of languages of minorities, equal representation and decentralization. Key issues that require hard work, she added, are reforms in the judiciary and public administration.

"2011 has been a successful year taking into consideration the fact that high-ranking talks were held in EU institutions, with EU countries, notably with Sweden and Finland. International meetings have been wrapped up in Washington, where US officials said they  appreciated Macedonia's policy and asked for constructiveness in relation to the bilateral name dispute," Arifi said focusing on the cooperation with international partners.

The Vice PM stressed that the country should be satisfied with the Hague court's decision. "But, we have to take into account the fact that the issue is political and quite sensitive requiring desire and political will from both parties in order to be settled."

"We are satisfied with the court's ruling, which should stimulate both parties to move toward a joint solution. A dialogue between neighbors needs to lead to a solution, instead to misunderstanding," Vice PM Arifi noted.