Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office, held talks Thursday on the pace of Skopje-Athens name talks and Macedonia’s latest activities on its road to the EU, NATO membership. Dimitrov highlighted the significance of German support of Macedonia’s bid to join the Euro-Atlantic organizations. …
“Unless the name dispute is resolved this year, the status quo will linger on for years,” Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office, said during the press conference held together with PM Zoran Zaev on Thursday. Roth said that both sides were willing to make a mutually acceptable compromise, …
Roth: Both sides are ready to resolve the name dispute Read More »
We are confident that Macedonia will join the European family, said French Ambassador to Macedonia, Christian Thimonier at Wednesday’s observance of Europe Day in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Welcome to the club, because you have made a significant step by receiving a clear recommendation. However, this is just the beginning of a journey,” said …
Thimonier: I am confident that Macedonia will join the European family Read More »
We share the same destiny with the EU but we are not at the table yet, said Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov at the third quadrilateral ministerial meeting (Macedonia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria), which takes place in Thessaloniki on Friday. “We are politically part of the EU, we are there in geographic terms, we share the same economic …
FM Dimitrov: We share the same destiny with the EU but we are not at the table yet Read More »
Commissioner of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn has said his recent statement that the name issue could be solved in a couple of weeks was misinterpreted. “That was a mistake, there is a recording of this. I said I have faith that a solution can be reached in a couple of weeks, …
Hahn: My statement on name solution was misinterpreted Read More »
On Wednesday May 2, the European Union announced that due the belief that the bloc needs to become more resilient in order to handle the Russian threat (which, one understands, is present and concerns European officials deeply), there are plans for the financial boosting of the EU’s long-term defence budget. As euractiv.com reads, “After decades of …
The Russian threat leads EU to ‘inject’ its long-term defence budget with €20 billion Read More »
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Monday that Macedonia will surely have to open its Constitution prior to its EU accession, like all other member-states. “Macedonia will surely open the Constitution prior to its EU entry, just like all other member-states, transferring a portion of its sovereignty to the Union. If additional guarantees are required as assurance for …
Zaev: Macedonia to surely open Constitution prior to EU accession Read More »
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev held talks Friday with Fiona McIlwham, Director for Western Balkans at the British Foreign Office, the government said in a press release. McIlwham voiced support for the policies of Macedonia’s government, focused on reforms and building friendships as democratic values significant for the country’s integration with European, Euro-Atlantic organizations. Macedonia-Bulgaria Friendship Treaty is …
Zaev-McIlwham: Britain supports Macedonia’s bid to join EU and NATO Read More »
I feel there is a change in the political mentality in Macedonia and real will to move the country forward in its Euro-Atlantic integration process. I see brave leadership focused on the future. The EC recommendation is the best proof that Macedonia’s efforts have impressed many in Europe, said European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday. …
European construction for us is not under threat, it is a necessity, but there is still a lot of work to be done because we have came across some organizational limitations. We have to work hard, particularly in terms of the decisions we have to make. Patience and optimism is necessary, French Ambassador Christian Thimonier …
Thimonier: EU integration ‘indispensable’, patience and optimism is needed Read More »
Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama has started an official visit yesterday in Germany in an attempt to convince the country to provide its support for the opening of negotiations with the European Union. This visit comes a week after the European Commission gave its recommendation for the launch of this process. PM Rama had …
Rama in Berlin to convince Merkel for the negotiations Read More »
Special Rapporteur for Macedonia in the European Parliament Ivo Vajgl, in an interview for MIA, said that there is a real chance that EU leaders give Macedonia a green light and a date for negotiations as soon as this summer. He pointed out that the EP has long pushed for the negotiations and the name …
Vajgl: EU may give Macedonia negotiations date as soon as this summer Read More »
Prominent political figures from the region and other countries of the world will help Macedonia in its path toward NATO and the EU. They have now gathered around a group called “Ohrid Group”, a part of which are staying for a visit in Skopje. Former NATO’s Secretary General, George Robertson is one of the heads …
Macedonian and Greek foreign ministers Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias and the UN mediator Matthew Nimetz are to hold fresh meeting on Wednesday afternoon in Vienna. The previous meeting in the same format was also held in Vienna on March 30. Meanwhile, Kotzias and Dimitrov held bilateral meeting on April 12 in Ohrid. Kotzias told …
Macedonia’s Prime Minister , Zoran Zaev, said today that now that the recommendation for the start of EU accession talks has been given, the team that will lead the the talks will immediately be appointed. Zaev said that he’s very happy with the recommendation, but now there’s a need to focus on the reforms. “EU accession …
Zaev announces the creation of the team that will lead the EU negotiations Read More »
European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn expressed optimism that the Greek dispute over the name of Macedonia could be resolved within the next 15 days. “I am optimistic that in the next two weeks we will have a solution: at least a solution that will pave the way for the start of accession talks with …
Brussels may threaten social media companies with regulation unless they move urgently to tackle fake news and Cambridge Analytica-style use of personal data before the European elections in 2019. The EU security commissioner, Julian King, said “short-term, concrete” plans needed to be in place before the elections, when voters in 27 EU member states will …
Tech companies to face new EU regulations over fake news Read More »
Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi will attend the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments taking place in Tallinn, Estonia, on Monday and Tuesday. The conference, according to Parliament’s press release, will address issues regarding the future of the EU and European security and defense. At the conference, Xhaferi will also have bilateral meetings with his …
Xhaferi to attend EU parliament speakers conference in Estonia Read More »
We believe there’s place in the EU for the Western Balkan countries and the process shouldn’t be stopped. We appreciate your hard work and we are also trying to promote this idea. Now, the trend in the EU is to advocate for stability, economic development and improvement of living standards, Poland’s Ambassador to Macedonia Jacek Multanowski …
Multanowski: EU and NATO should seize name settlement opportunity Read More »
European Council President Donald Tusk will travel to Tirana, Podgorica, Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje on 24-27 April. The main purpose of the trip is to prepare for the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia on 17 May and to participate in the Brdo-Brijuni summit in Skopje, Tusk’s Office said in a press release on Friday. ‘The message to our friends …
European Council President Tusk to visit Skopje on 27 April Read More »
