Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has stated that Albania is not ready to open accession talks with the EU, but North Macedonia is close to that goal, EWB reported.
“We do not believe Albania is ready to start talks with the EU at this point, and as far as North Macedonia is concerned, it is closer to that goal,” Rutte said for Montenegrin journal Pobjeda on the sidelines of the NATO summit in London.
He added that the decoupling of Albania and North Macedonia’s EU bids was not supported by all member states. Macedonian foreign minister recently called for the decoupling of both countries’ EU path given Albania’s lag behind in the process.
Rutte also stated that the Netherland support the EU enlargement but countries have to meet conditions and deadlines are not goals in themselves.
“We have nothing against EU enlargement, but we must make sure that we follow the rules and that everything must be strict and fair. That is always our position,” Rutte concluded.
The Netherlands was one of the countries opposing the opening of talks with Albania in June and October this year, following the Dutch parliament’s vote against in June 2019.
