EU’s Mogherini urges bloc to open accession talks with Skopje and Tirana

Mogerini — REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany | REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Ahead of the European Union Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg, Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative, said on Monday she hoped that the member states would recall the progress North Macedonia made by signing a deal with Greece when deciding on opening talks with Skopje and Tirana, the Beta news agency reported.

Oglas

She referred to the agreement Skopje and Athens signed last June on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia new name, removing the obstacles for the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration after 27-year-long obstruction by Greece.

The European Commission suggested the start of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in June, but the final decision depended on the bloc’s member states which did not agree on the issue, so the ruling was postponed for autumn.

“I hope and I believe that (the opening of negotiations) will start as soon as possible,” Mogherini said.

So far, 13 member states, mostly from Eastern Europe, supported by Italy, Austria and Malta, requested the green light for both Skopje and Tirana to begin the negotiations, while France, Denmark and Netherlands restrained and Germany was believed to be supportive only regarding North Macedonia.

“I think we have to remind ourselves about the courage of the leaders and important steps made in the Western Balkans. I hope the member states will remember and recognise those steps forward, especially when deciding on opening the accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia,” Mogherini said.

Teme