The European Commission is ready to open talks with Albania and North Macedonia, according to EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen wrote on Twitter that North Macedonia and Bulgaria are close to a deal, which would open the path to opening accession talks for the former and Albania.
“Good phone call with PM @DKovachevski. Welcome news that 🇲🇰 and 🇧🇬, with support of France, are close to an agreement which takes into account interests & concerns. @EU_Commission is ready to start the screening process for 🇲🇰 and 🇦🇱, the next step on their European path.”
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Friday (1 July) that he was optimistic that North Macedonia will accept the French deal.
“It is my view that the new proposal, which is final, is completely acceptable and the government, the majority in the parliament of North Macedonia, will accept it without any hesitation,” he stated.
On Thursday (30 June), Socialist whip Taulant Balla said he had received news from the European Union that Albania will hold its first intergovernmental conference next week.
Balla’s statement comes hours after Macron confirmed that a deal may have been reached between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
Spearheaded by France, this deal would effectively allow Bulgaria to lift the veto it has imposed on North Macedonia over cultural and linguistic issues, and open the way for this latter and Albania to begin negotiation talks.
