The EU Foreign Affair Council has no intention to decouple Albania and North Macedonia’s EU paths.
In a press statement following Monday’s meeting of the ministers responsible for foreign affairs in each EU member state, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell stressed that member states agreed on the need to advance the EU accession process with the two Balkans countries, and that decoupling them has never been intended.
“During our discussions there was a wide agreement on the need for the Western Balkans to accelerate European Union-related reforms and reinforce positive and constructive narratives. We need to advance on the accession process of Albania and North Macedonia. And by the way, there has never been any intention of decoupling both countries in the accession process,” Josep Borrell stated on Monday.
“The Western Balkans has a key geostrategic role for the EU. Our commitment to the Western Balkans needs to be very visible and we should leave no doubt in this respect,” the top diplomat said.
Asked whether Bulgaria’s veto on the start of EU talks with North Macedonia was discussed in today’s meeting, Borell confirmed it.
“We listened to Bulgaria. We encourage both Bulgaria and North Macedonia to find a solution for their bilateral issues,” he replied, adding that the country has met conditions to sit in accession talks. The ministers committed to push for the start of talks, he assured.
The ministers also agreed on the need for progress in visa liberalization for Kosovo, a swift resumption of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, and advancement of Serbia and Montenegro’s EU bids.
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