We are very close to the realization of Macedonia’s strategic goals – EU and NATO membership – and we will not let irresponsible ultimatums risk the process. We remain committed to solutions that enable conditions for a fair referendum in the citizens’ interest, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at Tuesday’s meeting with Michael Roth, Minister of State …
Zaev-Roth meeting: Irresponsible ultimatums are unacceptable Read More »
Montenegro received a new negotiator with the European Union on May 24. The former, Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic was forced to resign because three months earlier, the Corruption Prevention Directorate accused him of conflict of interests and limitation in performing public functions. He was accused because while he was as the minister for European affairs, he …
Let’s get down to work. We have a rendezvous with history. We have no time to lose. We are at the very start of a long journey, Johannes Hahn, EU Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner, said Tuesday addressing a session of the National Council for EU Integration in Skopje. “It will be important to ensure inclusiveness and unity of …
Hahn: We have rendezvous with history, no time to lose Read More »
The door of the EU remains wide open for Macedonia and it’s up to you to seize the opportunity. It is up to you to decide on the future of your country, EU Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn said Tuesday in Skopje who officially launched the preparatory process for opening EU accession negations. The door …
We deserve a clear decision for the start of accession talks, but politics is an art of the possible and we will invest maximum efforts to move forward, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov told debate “Beyond Berlin: What Does the Next Decade Hold for the Western Balkans” within the EU-Western Balkans Summit in London on Tuesday. …
Macedonia’s progress would not be possible without the courageous leadership and the successful reforms, said members of the Ohrid Group, friends and supporters of Macedonia, led by Sir George Robertson, at Tuesday’s meeting with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in London. Former NATO Secretary General Robertson said members …
Robertson: Macedonia’s progress owed to courageous leadership and reforms Read More »
A crucial stage begins for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration this week. The government delegation travels to Brussels with high hopes for NATO summit that begins Wednesday, when our country will be invited to become the 30th member. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is expected to hand over the membership invitation to Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on …
I am certain that the majority of citizens will vote ‘for’ the Macedonian identity, ‘for’ the Macedonian future, ‘for’ the EU and NATO membership, Defense Minister Radmila Sekerisnska says in a Sunday’s interview of Radio Free Europe. We have a historic opportunity, but also bear a historic responsibility, she says, pointing out the approach of …
Sekerinska: Majority of Macedonian citizens will vote ‘yes’ for the country’s future Read More »
In Macedonia, corruption is not viewed as a key issue by the citizens. They have little to no resistance to corruption – when asked for a bribe, they usually give it. 36% were asked for a bribe with 31% saying they had paid a bribe. Therefore, public awareness about the fight against corruption should be …
Bertolini: Fight against corruption is a priority of the current administration Read More »
Austria’s support for the opening of EU accession talks and its support for the reforms are what Macedonia is expecting during this country’s EU presidency which started at the beginning of this month. “We’re grateful for Austria’s support and its engagement in order for Western Balkans to remain on the focus of this presidency. This is …
Expectations in Macedonia from the Austrian presidency of the EU Read More »
When the euphoria passes, what remains is the question: Will we be better after we join NATO and the EU and what kind of perspective will we have? So far we have gone a long way with many challenges, and with right and courageous decisions we are here completely deserving. However, this is not a …
The last few days represent a historic breakthrough in Macedonia’ Euro-Atlantic integration process, after the country received a timeline for the start of the accession negotiations – June 2019, said Vice Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani on Saturday. “This decision by the European Council clearly recognizes our progress and definitely closes the issue of Macedonia’s …
Osmani: Macedonian negotiating team to be unveiled by July 17 Read More »
The road ahead is clear. It leads towards your membership to the European Union. To accomplish that, all political forces share the responsibility to maintain a constructive dialogue and continue to deliver on the citizens’ aspirations, including notably through reforms in the rule of law, security services, public administration and a functioning market economy, say High …
Accountability for the mass wiretapping in Macedonia and high-corruption verdicts entered into the recommendations of the European Council as conditions for starting negotiations with the European Union. The European Council set the stage for opening accession negotiations in June 2019, but European bureaucrats demand tangible, ie concrete results in the fight against corruption and judicial …
Accountability for the wiretapping – EU condition Read More »
Expert political leaders in the country have divided views on what the future of Macedonia will be in or outside the Euro-Atlantic institutions. Analyst Bashkim Bakiu believes that the European Commission asks Macedonia to have the development that Norway and Switzerland had in terms of fulfilling the reforms. “To be precise, the EU does not …
Bakiu: The EU wants us to be like Norway or Switzerland Read More »
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev had a meeting Thursday in Brussels with EU Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn, which in practice kicked off the preparations for the screening process for Macedonia, which is given a conditional green light to open EU accession talks in June 2019. The meeting was also attended by Macedonian Vice-Premier for European …
This is a good week for your country and for the Western Balkans. The EU ministers set out the path towards opening accession talks with Macedonia and with Albania in June 2019, and in just a few hours, I expect that the EU Heads of States will endorse this decision, European Council President Donald Tusk …
Tusk: The EU ministers set out the path, keep up the pace of reforms Read More »
European Commission is immediately starting preparations for the screening process for Macedonia and Albania that were given a conditional green light to open EU accession talks in June 2019, EU Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in an interview with RFE/RL. Hahn said that with conclusions of the General Affairs Council, the European Commission has …
Hahn: EC immediately starts preparations for screening process for Macedonia and Albania Read More »
Ambassador Dimitris Yannakakis said Wednesday that Greece supports Macedonia in EU and NATO based on the Prespa agreement, adding that everything is now in the hands of member-states. “This country aspires to become a member of the EU and NATO. Based on the Prespa agreement, Greece supports these efforts but the accession does not depend …
Yannakakis: Athens supports Skopje in EU and NATO, everything in hands of member-states Read More »
MEP Eduard Kukan welcomed yesterday’s General Affairs Council’s conclusions on opening the path to accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania. “They deserve a clear message on starting the accession negotiations. A year was given to the countries to arrive to the negotiation table, which reflects the Council’s internal discussion on the EU enlargement process. I …
MEP Kukan: Albania and Macedonia given a year to arrive to negotiation table Read More »
