EU ministers begin discussion on membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania 

According to the draft communique released from Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council, the EU ministers from the bloc’s 28 states will re-examine the issue in October.  

The Council takes stock of the EC recommendation to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia in view of the positive evaluation of the progress made, the draft conclusion reads.  

Some of the member states are of the opinion that conclusions should clearly reference the Prespa Agreement and contain stronger wording to support start of accession negotiations, perhaps stronger than that for Albania. However, another group of countries insists on enlargement package. 

Council sources revealed that discussions are expected to last longer, seeing that member states who support the enlargement believe that the EU’s credibility is at stake. Commissioner Hahn also urged EU member states on Monday to start negotiations with North Macedonia as soon as possible.