Hahn: I hope the mistake of not opening talks with North Macedonia and Albania will be reversed


Outgoing EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, addressed the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Debate was mainly focused on the Western Balkans. The enlargement commissioner once again voiced regret that EU member states failed to reach consensus in October to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania …

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European Council: EU enlargement will be formally included in the agenda of the General Affairs Council


The European Council informs that EU enlargement will be formally included in the agenda of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels on November 19. Ministers of EU members supporting the enlargement insisted on revisiting the topic as soon as possible, but no conclusions should be expected from the meeting, only discussions on the state …

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Pendarovski for Al Jazeera: The Western Balkans region is not neighboring to the EU


For us, there’s no better alternative than EU integration, and therefore, all other options for strategic or special forms of partnership are impossible and unacceptable, President Stevo Pendarovski said in an interview with Al Jazeera Balkans. “There are as many alternatives as you want, as many options as you want, but nothing is more sustainable …

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Financial Times: Emmanuel Macron’s EU accession veto is a historic mistake


You consider that French president Emmanuel Macron has made a “historic mistake” in vetoing the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, but the French opposition to the opening of negotiations is in no way linked to the particular assessment of the candidate countries, but to a much more fundamental political problem …

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EASC warns on risks of not opening EU membership talks with North Macedonia


The refusal by the European Union to open membership talks with the Republic of North Macedonia has led to an impression of euroskepticism returning in the region, the Sofia-based Euro-Atlantic Security Centre (EASC) said. “Macedonian society has felt betrayed by old Europe,” said the think-tank, founded by Bulgaria’s former Interior Minister and former GERB strongman …

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Pendarovski suggests holding regional summit to confirm EU path


North Macedonia, Albania and other countries in the region should continue on the EU path as there is no other alternative, President Stevo Pendarovski said Saturday at a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta in Tirana. Stevo Pendarovski suggests the Western Balkans countries to hold an extraordinary summit to discuss EU enlargement …

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Zaharieva: Decision not to open negotiations with North Macedonia is a rude historical mistake


Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Ekaterina Zaharieva, said that the European Union’s decision not to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia is a rude historical mistake. “Bulgaria said a big “Yes” on opening accession negotiations,” Zaharieva said, adding that North Macedonia deserves to start membership negotiations with the EU. The Bulgarian Deputy …

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European Parliament to put a motion for a resolution on opening accession talks with Skopje and Tirana


The European Parliament is set to put a motion for a resolution on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania on the agenda of the plenary session on Wednesday. The European Parliament has already agree Skopje and Tirana should open accession negotiations with the EU and a motion for a resolution comes after the …

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Zbogar: You delivered everything that was asked of you, unfortunately we again delayed the issue


You delivered everything that was asked of you, you did your share. But the European Union makes these decisions unanimously and unfortunately we again delayed the issue. We understand the disappointment of the citizens and the politicians with the decision from the European Council in Brussels, but remain committed to North Macedonia and the region, …

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Mogherini: Postponing negotiations with Skopje and Tirana is more than a lost opportunity, it’s a historic mistake


European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the postponing the decision to open negotiations for North Macedonia’s and Albania’s accession to the European Union, it is much more than a lost opportunity: it is a historic mistake. In her blog ‘Two important decisions, one historic mistake’, Mogherini said that the heads of State …

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State Department: We are disappointed with the European Council’s decision on enlargement


The United States supports North Macedonia and Albania’s commitment to Transatlantic integration and aspirations to join the European Union.  We are disappointed the European Council did not recognize each country’s very strong reform efforts by agreeing to open accession negotiations at this time.  A positive decision would have reaffirmed the credibility of their EU path …

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Borissov: EU will make a historic mistake if it doesn’t open negotiations with N.Macedonia and Albania


North Macedonia and Albania should get a date for accession negotiations. It would be a historic mistake if we did not let them launch the talks and a tough blow for the people of the two countries that deserve to be given a European perspective, said Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov ahead of the European …

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Pendarovski: We’re lobbying until the very last minute for a date for opening EU accession talks


North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski says that top officials are lobbying until the very last minute to get a date for start of accession negotiations and an acknowledgement for the country’s recent efforts. EU’s final decision should be announced by Friday afternoon, but even in the case of a negative decision, President Pendarovski says that …

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