Finland, Sweden support Macedonia's integration drive

Finland and Sweden firmly support Macedonia's European Union (EU) integration process, the nation's respective foreign ministers Margot Wallstrom and Timo Soini told reporters here Monday.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov had a joint press conference with his Swedish and Finnish counterparts where he voiced hope that Macedonia would get a clear recommendation for the start of EU accession talks in 2018.

Dimitrov noted that Macedonia could learn from both Sweden and Finland considering the two countries as a source of inspiration regarding the organization of their societies in the interest of their citizens.

"The two foreign ministers are here in Macedonia in the midst of an important period for Macedonia, both in terms of its reform agenda and the country's foreign policy," Dimitrov told reporters.

Meanwhile, both Wallstrom and Soini highlighted that the future of Western Balkans was in the EU. In this framework, they urged Macedonia to continue with its reforms towards securing the rule of law, freedom of speech, media freedom.

They also called for more efforts in the fight against corruption, resulting in more foreign investors coming to Macedonia.