(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - There's a "new sense of optimism" and Brussels is "glad to see a new start" in the relations between EU and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, both for the implementation of key reforms, and for the country's political issues, such as the dispute over the name with Greece, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told reporters at a press conference at the end of the 13th EU-FYROM Association Council.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.

Nikola Dimitrov; the Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of the FYROM Mr. Bujar Osmani also participated.

Brussels has appreciated the most Fyrom's recent steps forward in the neighbourly relations. "We assess the fact the FYROM and Bulgaria managed to come to an agreement without any mediation", underlined Mogherini. The text of the agreement has been presented today by the Prime Minister Zaev to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Skopje's Parliament.

The new Skopje's government has put in place "a spirit of concrete engagement" that has led to "good progress" in moving the country forward on the EU path, Mogherini explained. (ANSA).