Hungarian Olivér Várhely, who is the Commissioner-designate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, for two an a half hours on Thursday was speaking at a hearing where MEPs had to test his general competences to do his job in the coming five years. In his opening remarks, Várhely said he would do his best to convince the […]
Outgoing EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, addressed the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Debate was mainly focused on the Western Balkans. The enlargement commissioner once again voiced regret that EU member states failed to reach consensus in October to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania […]
The European Council informs that EU enlargement will be formally included in the agenda of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels on November 19. Ministers of EU members supporting the enlargement insisted on revisiting the topic as soon as possible, but no conclusions should be expected from the meeting, only discussions on the state […]
EP President David Sassoli arrived for an official visit to the country on Monday. At the opening of the Europe House in Skopje, Sassoli said “the future is in your hands and ours. We shouldn’t lose hope. The European Union should help North Macedonia become a member state and participate in building a new Europe”. […]
For us, there’s no better alternative than EU integration, and therefore, all other options for strategic or special forms of partnership are impossible and unacceptable, President Stevo Pendarovski said in an interview with Al Jazeera Balkans. “There are as many alternatives as you want, as many options as you want, but nothing is more sustainable […]
You consider that French president Emmanuel Macron has made a “historic mistake” in vetoing the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, but the French opposition to the opening of negotiations is in no way linked to the particular assessment of the candidate countries, but to a much more fundamental political problem […]
The refusal by the European Union to open membership talks with the Republic of North Macedonia has led to an impression of euroskepticism returning in the region, the Sofia-based Euro-Atlantic Security Centre (EASC) said. “Macedonian society has felt betrayed by old Europe,” said the think-tank, founded by Bulgaria’s former Interior Minister and former GERB strongman […]
North Macedonia, Albania and other countries in the region should continue on the EU path as there is no other alternative, President Stevo Pendarovski said Saturday at a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta in Tirana. Stevo Pendarovski suggests the Western Balkans countries to hold an extraordinary summit to discuss EU enlargement […]
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Ekaterina Zaharieva, said that the European Union’s decision not to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia is a rude historical mistake. “Bulgaria said a big “Yes” on opening accession negotiations,” Zaharieva said, adding that North Macedonia deserves to start membership negotiations with the EU. The Bulgarian Deputy […]
The European Parliament is set to put a motion for a resolution on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania on the agenda of the plenary session on Wednesday. The European Parliament has already agree Skopje and Tirana should open accession negotiations with the EU and a motion for a resolution comes after the […]
You delivered everything that was asked of you, you did your share. But the European Union makes these decisions unanimously and unfortunately we again delayed the issue. We understand the disappointment of the citizens and the politicians with the decision from the European Council in Brussels, but remain committed to North Macedonia and the region, […]
The ruling German coalition CDU/CSU said that the road to the EU remains open for North Macedonia and Albania, despite the EU Council’s decision not to open accession negotiations with the two countries. Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Johann David Wadephul, and the reporter in charge Christian Schmidt urged […]
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the postponing the decision to open negotiations for North Macedonia’s and Albania’s accession to the European Union, it is much more than a lost opportunity: it is a historic mistake. In her blog ‘Two important decisions, one historic mistake’, Mogherini said that the heads of State […]
The United States supports North Macedonia and Albania’s commitment to Transatlantic integration and aspirations to join the European Union. We are disappointed the European Council did not recognize each country’s very strong reform efforts by agreeing to open accession negotiations at this time. A positive decision would have reaffirmed the credibility of their EU path […]
Let us not dwell in disappointment, apathy or calculations for obtaining small daily political points. Now it is time to reunite around what is most important for the Republic of North Macedonia – our future and the future of generations to come. I am convinced that only if we work together – we will succeed, […]
EU leaders today are expected to make the final decision on the fate of North Macedonia and Albania. There was hope that the summit would pave the way for accession negotiations to begin, but there are mixed messages coming from Brussels to Skopje as to what will happen, whether or not a date will be […]
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn says EU leaders failed to live up to their commitment to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania at the European Council. “This is a matter of extreme disappointment. EU member-states now need to clarify how serious their commitment is to the Western Balkans’ EU […]
North Macedonia and Albania should get a date for accession negotiations. It would be a historic mistake if we did not let them launch the talks and a tough blow for the people of the two countries that deserve to be given a European perspective, said Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov ahead of the European […]
North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski says that top officials are lobbying until the very last minute to get a date for start of accession negotiations and an acknowledgement for the country’s recent efforts. EU’s final decision should be announced by Friday afternoon, but even in the case of a negative decision, President Pendarovski says that […]
