Macedonië wil lid worden van Europese Unie (en)

Macedonia is to apply for membership of the EU before the end of February 2004, Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva said on Tuesday in Brussels.

Ms Ilinka's declaration was made yesterday (9 December) at the meeting of EU foreign ministers with five countries of the Western Balkans.

"Macedonia does not ask for concessions or short cuts, we are committed to hard work and we will accomplish the necessary criteria", the Minister told a press conference after the meeting.

However, EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten did not give a clear answer on whether he would welcome Macedonia's application.

The European military force operation in Macedonia - 'Concordia' - will make way on 15 December for a police mission - 'Proxima' - that will help Macedonia "restore the rule of law" and fight organised crime in the in the former Yugoslav Republic.