Vice-Premier Xhaferi meets Austrian counterpart Spindelegger

Musa Xhaferi, Vice-Premier in charge of the Framework Agreement implementation, and Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger expressed satisfaction Tuesday in Vienna with the good bilateral relations, especially the political ones.

They advocated for bolstering of the economic cooperation and trade exchange, the Government Information Service said in a press release.

Xhaferi and Spindelegger discussed on Macedonia's EU-integration, current developments in both the country and the region.

At the meeting Xhaferi praised Austria's support of Macedonia's, region's accession to the EU.

"We have talked about the current developments in Macedonia, the country's EU-integration and the need for reaching a compromise with Greece on the (name dispute)," Xhaferi said.

Greece's opposition to Macedonia's EU membership have negative effect on citizens, Xhaferi said. He asked Spindelegger to invite his European colleagues to play more active role in Western Balkans, especially in Macedonia and Kosovo, and assist in preventing a possible escalation of the sensitive situation there, the press release reads.

Xhaferi and Spindelegger also addressed Macedonia's NATO membership in the light of Chicago Summit.

"Although Austria is a not a NATO member, many Austrian soldiers have been, and are still in Kosovo as part of the peacekeepers. Maybe a NATO non-member state will be more objective mediator. The Summit in Chicago is not dedicated to enlargement. It is a regular Summit and only Greek blockade prevents Macedonia to officially become NATO member," Xhaferi said.

Xhaferi is also scheduled to take part in the 2nd Annual Meeting of Vienna-based Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation (CGDC).