The Netherlands is less concerned about North Macedonia and more about Albania regarding the decision to deliver a date for the start of EU accession negotiations this fall, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte after a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. PM Rutte was asked about his country’s position on the issue, saying the Netherlands […]
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said Wednesday that Finland’s presidency with the European Union would be remembered by the decision for starting accession negotiations. Foreign Minister Haavisto visited North Macedonia two weeks before the Council of the European Union announces the decision regarding the country’s accession talks start date. “We all witnessed the steps North […]
North Macedonia has learned its lesson from the past and it’s realistic to expect the international community to give full support this month for start of EU accession negotiations, as well as full-fledged NATO membership, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic told a joint press conference with President Stevo Pendarovski. Djukanovic and Pendarovski agree that this month […]
The United States Embassy has donated technical equipment for audio recording of court hearings in 25 courtrooms within the Skopje-based Criminal Court. US Ambassador Kate Byrnes said Wednesday this is an important step in the strengthening of the rule of law in the country. “This equipment increases the transparency and efficiency of hearings. It increases […]
North Macedonia deserves start of EU accession negotiations right now, this moment, today, said Slovenian Ambassador Milan Jazbec. At the upcoming EU Summit, Slovenia will give direct support for start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia, and Slovenia’s Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will reaffirm support next week during his official visit to the country […]
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with North Macedonia’s top state officials on Octber 4 in Ohrid. Pompeo is expected to underscore that the Prespa Agreement is an incredible step that demonstrated leadership and real courage of the leaders both in North Macedonia and in Greece, and a real addition to stability and […]
President Milo Djukanovic is paying October 2-3 an official visit to North Macedonia. After a welcome ceremony at the Skopje International Airport, Djukanovic will be received with military honors by President Stevo Pendarovski outside his residence. It will be followed by a tête-à-tête meeting, the government said on Tuesday. Pendarovski and Djukanovic will hold a […]
Messages of support that North Macedonia deserves and should get a positive EU decision in October were voiced at Tuesday’s meetings of Prime MinisterZoran Zaev with MEPs Dimitris Papadimoulis and Guy Verhofstadt, and former European Parliament President Martin Schulz. At he meeting with MEP Papadimoulis, who also serves as EP’s Vice-President, the two officials concluded […]
Date for starting accession negotiations with North Macedonia or the EU will undermine its own credibility – was the common message of all participants at the Economist Western Balkans Summit held in Skopje yesterday. There was a general belief that there was little room for a negative response this time, but German politician and longtime […]
Time is right when it comes to the future of the Western Balkans, and North Macedonia is an example how countries should work. The road was not an easy one and is not finished yet, but it clearly shows the country’s role in the region, United States Ambassador Kate Byrnes told the Western Balkans Summit […]
The European Union will undermine its own credibility if it fails to validate North Macedonia’s progress. It would endanger the region’s European perspective and the enlargement process as we know it, Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani told The Economist Western Balkans Summit in Skopje on Tuesday. Deputy PM Osmani voiced assurance over a positive […]
We have a date with destiny on October 15, when I hope we will launch the EU accession negotiations. We have been a candidate country for 14 years, we have lost an entire generation, and we needed leadership to realize that things can happen by hard work and struggle, said Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov in […]
Slovenia will continue to strongly support North Macedonia during its EU integration through sharing experiences, knowledge, and expertise in the process, Slovenia’s Ambassador Milan Jazbec said today at the Mother Teresa University in Skopje. “Two weeks before the meeting of the EU council,” Ambassador Jazbec said, “I have to say that Slovenia strongly supports your […]
All Balkan countries should join the EU as soon as possible. Integrate the Balkans in the Union and all problems are solved, Guy Verhofstadt, Member of European Parliament and former Belgian PM, told Western Balkans Summit organized by The Economist held today in Skopje. MEP Verhofstadt said the need for enlargement with the Balkans is […]
The Prespa Agreement is a win of diplomacy over nationalism, opportunity for closer cooperation between the two countries, contribution to peace and stability in the region, something the European Union also stands for, Greece’s former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told The Economist Western Balkans Summit in Skopje, noting that North Macedonia demonstrated it is a […]
I believe that the good news for starting negotiations with the European Union will have a positive impact on the entire region and the European Union and that the progress of the reforms in solving the problems will be acknowledged. The region is changed, it strives and creates conditions for further development and integration, Prime […]
The West must show that positive examples are rewarded and the Prespa Agreement was such an example. It opened a new chapter in relations between Greece and North Macedonia, gave opportunities for better economic cooperation and opened Skopje’s path towards the European Union. The deal also has an effect on the entire region and its […]
Weekly magazine The Economist organizes a Western Balkans Summit titled “Reinforcing the momentum for European integration” in Skopje on Tuesday. The event brings together about 450 participants, including foreign businessmen, politicians and managers who are playing an important role in terms of the regional ambition for Euro-Atlantic integrations, as well as journalists. Prime Minister Zoran […]
The Prespa Agreement deserves all the support from the two countries, concluded North Macedonia’s PM Zoran Zaev and Greece’s ex-premier Alexis Tsipras, who is in Skopje for Tuesday’s Western Balkans Summit, organized by The Economist. At a cordial meeting, the two officials discussed the benefits of the Prespa Agreement, the government said on Monday. “The […]
SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras travels to Skopje on Monday, September 30, to attend a conference organized by the Economist magazine: “Western Balkans Summit – Enhancing the momentum for European integration”. In particular, according to an announcement by SYRIZA, on Monday afternoon at 18.00, Alexis Tsipras will meet with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran […]
