The European Council is ready to open negotiations talks with Albania, according to Socialist parliamentary leader Taulant Balla.
On Thursday afternoon, Balla addressed Parliament with the news that European leaders have agreed to hold the first intergovernmental conference next week, effectively ending several years of accession gridlock.
“The 27 EU member states have all agreed to to hold next week the First Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the EU…I had the opportunity to talk with the Czech who just left. [Members] have already reached an agreement and the Intergovernmental Conference will be held next week. This is a fact,” said Balla.
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.
A Macedonian official clarified that, “There is no final deal yet. Consultations will be continuing over the coming days.”
