EP: Strategic Error not to open negotiations with Tirana, Skopje

According to a statement by the European Parliament “eurodites express regret over the move of France, Denmark and the Netherlands to block the “decision, as they say “Albania and Northern Macedonia have made considerable efforts in recent years and meet EU criteria to start membership talks”. Praising North Macedonia's “efforts to resolve difficult bilateral issues with its neighbouring countries”, eurodeputs also “welcome the recent judiciary reforms in Albania”.

According to the resolution, the lack of a decision on the part of EU leaders “damages EU credibility and sends a negative message to other potential candidate countries. It can also make other foreign actors whose activities may not be in line with EU values and interests more closely engaged with Albania and North Macedonia”.

The decision to open membership talks was largely hampered by France due to French President Emmanuel Macron's insistence on reviewing the negotiation process, within the framework of reforming all enlargement policy. “A reform of the enlargement process, protected by some countries, should not prevent Albania and Northern Macedonia, which already meet the requirements to be assessed on the basis of their merits and objective criteria, rather than being tried by domestic political agendas in other countries”, the resolution stresses.

The European Council said the issue will be reviewed before the Western Balkans Summit, expected to be organised in Zagreb in May. But according to Eurodeputs “koha is now”, urging member states “to act responsibly towards Albania and North Macedonia and make a unanimous positive decision at the next collection”. / VOA/