Macedonia expects signal for clear Euro-perspective

 Macedonia expects a clear European perspective in the Enlargement Strategy, due to be released by the European Commission on Tuesday, said Vice Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani.

“We expect a clear signal for Macedonia regarding its perspectives, to get an accession talks date after the closure of open political issues in the context of relations with neighbors. It is also important for the country to get the opportunity to reach the timeframe given to Montenegro and Serbia, if we manage to meet criteria in the meantime. We need to be given a chance, the rest depends on us,” said Vice Premier Osmani prior to Monday’s working breakfast with Western Balkans ambassadors to Macedonia.

According to him, Macedonia is most experienced in the process within the region and has achieved a lot in the context of harmonization with the EU Acquis and meeting of criteria.

“An accession talks date will be an incentive for us to catch up with other countries leading the process,” said Osmani.

He added that EU Ambassador Samuel Zbogar will hand over the Enlargement Strategy document to the Macedonian authorities.

“For us it is important to launch the talks. Macedonia has achieved a lot within the process and has harmonized its legislation since the country signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement 17 years ago. We believe that chapters will be opened and closed swiftly once we launch the negotiations, because we have worked on this process before. That is why it is important for us to be given the possibility to reach the 2025 timeframe, because we can quickly compensate for the lack of progress in recent years,” stressed Osmani.

Vice Premier Osmani has invited the ambassadors of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia for the working breakfast. The meeting will tackle the European Commission’s Enlargement Strategy with the Western Balkans, coming EC progress reports, cooperation and good neighborly relations, as well as potentials for cooperation within the Berlin Process.