There are real chances for Macedonia to meet the benchmarks and get a date for opening of the European Union (EU) accession talks this fall , EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Thursday at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

- However, it will depend on the results that are going to be delivered in the next two months, Rehn said.

The EU will play fair, which means no altering of the criteria for opening of the EU accession talks, Rehn said.

- I am impressed by the quality and speed of the conducted reforms for annulment of the EU visa requirements. It is a confirmation of the commitment, political will of the Government, Parliament and state institutions to achieving the desired goal, Rehn said, pointing out that the list of criteria that Macedonia should meet is becoming shorter.

The remaining tasks Macedonia should complete in order to enter the next phase of the EU integration process include an adoption of law on parliament, changes to the laws on public administration and financing of political parties. The EU enlargement chief also underlined the importance of implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

The name dispute is a bilateral matter, not part of the criteria for opening of the EU entry talks, Rehn said. However the practical start of these negotiations requires the consent of all EU members, he added.

The EU is welcoming the resumed efforts of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz towards settling the name row, Rehn said.

There are many opportunities that should be exploited for final settling of this matter, he added.

Gruevski reiterated the Government's commitment to meet all benchmarks, saying that in the upcoming period it would be focused on all activities that should result in a positive European Commission report on the country's progress and hence to launching of the membership talks. The EC recommendation for annulment of visa regime is an additional boost to this effect, the PM said.

This afternoon, Rehn is scheduled to meet Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski and members of the National EU-Integration Council. He also had a meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov.

Rehn's visit to Skopje is part of his Western Balkan tour. He visited Belgrade and Podgorica on Wednesday and would head for Sarajevo on Friday.