Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski heads an ambitious and optimistic government, but has major roadblocks to overcome if the country is to move ahead with its EU hopes.By Zoran Nikolovski for Southeast European Times in Skopje – 09/01/09Macedonia's EU accession plans hinge on the upcoming elections.

Macedonia has its sights set on opening membership negotiations with the EU and NATO this year, goals that hinge on two main criteria. One is the country's local and presidential vote, scheduled for March 22nd. The other is a solution to the ongoing name dispute with Greece. Both present serious challenges. Election pressure

The EU has said Macedonia's chance of launching accession talks depends greatly on the March poll. The previous parliamentary elections, in July 2008, were marred by violence and voter fraud.

"We will do our best and hopefully, we will have fair and democratic elections," said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski last month. "We have made everything in our power to create much better conditions for organizing fair and democratic voting since last elections."

Read the full article in the South east European Times:
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/articles/2009/02/09/reportage-01

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