The decision on Albania, Merkel: Chances Not That Good

Germany still seeks to find a common position with France for the start of negotiations. President Macron, who opposes their opening, cites the high number of Albanian asylum seekers in France.

Brex will be the central topic at the two-day European Union summit starting Thursday in Brussels. Reaching an agreement in the last minute is being demanded intensively from both sides. Although Brex did not stay on the agenda on the day it would rule the hours of debate that were planned for the EU budget for years to come. Interested as well as how EU countries will be positioned in the summit's joint declaration of Turkey and the offensive in Syria.

Merkel: Chances are not very good”

Another topic on the summit is the EU dispute over the opening of negotiations between the EU and Albania and North Macedonia. With the veto that France placed at the EU foreign ministers' meeting Tuesday, it rejected many member states calling for the opening of negotiations. This topic was also discussed at the meeting between Merkel and Macroni in French Toulouse, ministers of the two countries signed joint projects in terms of defence policy. Both Germany and France are still working to find a joint position until the EU summit, which must be approved by other countries, Merkel said.

But in the government statement Thursday in Bundestag, before leaving Brussels, Merkel said, "I have to tell you, the odds are not very good.” She again spoke in favour of membership prospects for Albania and Northern Macedonia. Germany feels especially close to Balkan countries and will draw them close to the EU, she said. We have offered bridges to partners who had doubts, Merkel said. A unanimous vote is not certain at the summit yet.

In general, Merkel praised the summit in Bundestag as uncertain in its results. “cannot tell how this summit will end”, she said.

A day earlier, Merkel had been relating claims that between Germany and France there are major differences in terms of the prospect of membership of the two Balkan countries. Both sides support membership prospects, Merkel said in Toulouse on Wednesday. It even supports France's desire for a reform of the membership process that should be transparent and returnable in the event of negative developments. According to Merkel, membership talks should begin when specific issues are clarified. But in this path “has several different shades of”, she said.

Macro: second Albanians among asylum seekers in France

President Macro praised the progress made by Albania and Northern Macedonia, but this time it will last a little longer until negotiations begin, he said. Macron, who so far, had argued with the EU deepening before enlargement, agreed at the press conference with Merkel even internal reasons that make France hesitate. Albanians make up the second largest group of asylum seekers in France, under these conditions it is difficult to explain to the people that negotiations should be launched with this country, Macron said.

Earlier, the head of the East German Chamber of Commerce and Economy, Michael Harms, had also indicated the quick start of talks with Albania and Northern Macedonia. He warned of a change in atmosphere in these highly proEuropean countries.

There had previously been voices expressing Germany's disappointment over France's resistance to the start of negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia. State Minister for Europe Michael Roth, (SPD) said that if the EU fails to increase its presence in the Balkans, it risks a power vacuum that can be filled by other powers. Germany is the highly disappointed “” that cannot be kept what is promised several times, Roth said. Because the opening of negotiations is a clear signal to peace, stability, democracy and reconciliation for all of Europe. ”

There will be efforts at the summit to convince Macroni. The strong argument of the starters of negotiations is to question the EU's credibility when it fails to keep its promises. From German government circles it has become known, that work continues intensively. “This is not a topic that will be treated as among other”, a German representative said. /DW