Macedonia has made great strides in the past year. Progressive forces solved difficult issues, including the name dispute, in order the country to prosper. Benefits from being a member of the EU and NATO are huge both for the state and the citizens and thus, the moment must be seized. These are some of the conclusions of participants in Friday’s international conference “Macedonia looking forward: Time is right to catch the EU train.” Prime Minister Zoran Zaev was also in attendance. It’s a good thing, he said, that for a small country like Macedonia there are discussions about such progress. “With the treaty with Bulgaria, and then with the deal with Greece, we are sending serious messages that the European spirit and values can survive here, in the Western Balkans, so as to send a message of hope for good perspectives,” said Zaev.