Fontelles, who was on a two-day official visit to Macedonia, said in an address to Macedonia's parliamentarians and state officials that the time of admission would be determined by the level of readiness of the two countries.
Equally important is regional cooperation which not only ensures development but attracts foreign investment and enables a successful fight against organised crime, Fontelles said.
He welcomed the expansion of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), done at Croatia's initiative, and added that he supported the establishment of a free trade zone in the Balkans.