PM: Macedonia to join EU before Turkey

Macedonia will join the EU before Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, congratulating Skopje in advance during his visit to the Balkan country. "No one should have any concerns in Macedonia.  You will join the EU before Turkey. The process continues at a fast pace. We are a country conducting membership talks with the EU. However, Macedonia will join the EU before Turkey. I hope EU membership will be beneficial for Macedonia," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart, Nikola Gruevski. Answering a question about the conflict between Greece and Macedonia over the latter's name, and Athens' objection to Macedonia's EU and NATO membership, "Turkey's stance on the name issue is clear," Erdogan said. It is a natural and constitutional right for Macedonia to use that name. We support Macedonia in this process, Erdogan said. "We do not understand Greece's stance and approach regarding the matter. We do not think Greece's attitude is right. Greece's name is clear. Macedonia's decision to use its name should be respected. On NATO, Greece blocks Macedonian membership. We have extended and will continue to extend support to Macedonia for NATO membership. No one should have reservations on this matter," Erdogan added.