"European Parliament deputies are scheduled to vote Thursday on the EU enlargement resolution with Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland, proposed by the Foreign Affairs' Committee.

Committee chairman Gabriele Albertini said late Wednesday during the debate on the resolution and the enlargement strategy presented by Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn "the resolution text clear states that countries aspiring for EU accession must be serious in their intentions and must respect European criteria".

Bildt and Rehn asked that EU doors remain open for the Western Balkan countries, Turkey and Iceland, whereas the enlargement policy to resume.

Commissioner Rehn claimed that Macedonia was ready to start EU accession negotiations, with a possibility of settling the name issue until the Union summit in December.

In an address before the Joint Parliamentary Committee EU-Macedonia in Strasbourg, Rehn said that resolving of the name problem would add to Macedonia's chances to get a date.

Rehn called on MEPs to encorage their governments to make a brave decision on Macedonia in line with the EU strategic interests, which also includes the enlargement process."

* Balkans.com Business News is not responsible for the content of external information sources *