Macedonia must start EU accession talks. The October decision can be reversed in a few months. The country should use this time to start implementing new reforms, European Parliament President David Sassoli said Monday, at a joint press conference with PM Zoran Zaev.

That decision is not a failure or defeat, but some kind of slowdown. We are stronger because on our side are all European institutions, which are convinced that Macedonia must and should start the process of EU accession negotiations, because it has all the characteristics and conditions for that to happen, Sassoli said.

He says that some countries are starting to re-examine their positions and on the issue, which, he said, is quite positive.

We had confidence and faith at the start of the pre-accession negotiations within the last council, but we expect the decision to change in a few months. It will enable institutions to embark on other reforms, without stopping the process. We have a common future on our horizon. We have a common horizon, Sassoli said.