The European Union's executive arm said today that Croatia could wrap up EU entry talks next year and recommended that the bloc start membership negotiations with Macedonia, Reuters reported. The European Commission said other EU hopefuls including Turkey had a lot more to do, criticising corruption, weak administrations and making clear that it would take many years before the bulk of them could join the now 27-country EU. "If Croatia meets all outstanding benchmarks in time, the accession negotiations could be concluded next year," the Commission said in an annual report on enlargement. EU governments should open membership talks with Macedonia, another former Yugoslav country, it said. "The country has made convincing progress and substantially addressed reform priorities," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told a news conference. Diplomats say a dispute with EU member Greece over Macedonia's name could jeopardise the plan. Greece has vetoed Macedonia's accession to NATO, saying the country's name implied territorial claims to Greece's own province of Macedonia. Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski welcomed the Commission's announcement, saying: "It's a historic day for Macedonia and its citizens. This report will serve as a signpost for our future steps.
