McAllister: Macro is responsible for delaying negotiations with Albania

European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister has said today that Europe cannot strengthen its position in the international arena if a member state is able to block any foreign policy decision.

These comments McAllister has done by hinting in France, whether French President Immanuel Macron's stance, which he has said is responsible for delaying negotiations with Albania and northern Macedonia, broadcasts at that point, follows Kosovas.

He has been critical of the final effect of the talks at the European Council summit, calling it a historic mistake.

This is not only an eloquent signal for the Western Balkans in general but also for minimising the credibility of the European Union. How much our promises cost if we do so. Northern Macedonia has already come a long way, even having to change its country's name. To be honest, I don't understand the Council's decision. The political group I belong to in the EP has made sure that all leaders of European People's Party governments (PPE) on the Council stand on the side of northern Macedonia and Albania. We are very disappointed that some governments were able to influence the Council's final decision on this matter”, he said.

To create a strong, common, external and security policy, McAllister said flexibility and determination is needed.

We are only talking about starting negotiations. Their conclusion would last many years, so only the beginning of talks with Northern Macedonia and Albania does not mean that these countries will become part of the European Union tomorrow. Second, the French president in his argument stressed that he opposed accession talks because he believed the EU must first review the enlargement process. I agree that there are things we can do best in this area. At the same time, however, I hope that the 27 EU leaders will be able to agree on this issue during the upcoming presidency, when the Western Balkans summit is scheduled for May 2020. Perhaps then there will be some progress in the talks and a green light for northern Macedonia and Albania will be negotiated. I hope that's the”, he added it.

Regarding the decision, the chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has said it concerns the French president's stance.

This is about the French president's stance on enlargement policy, which I do not share. Mr. Macro, Mr. Macon. Rutte and others are responsible for this decision and should explain why they got it”, he said.

He has also commented on the possibility of isolated treatment of the two countries, on what it has indicated that even if these states were to be divided, French President Emmanuel Macron would still have reservations for northern Macedonia.

According to him, the best solution would be a road similar to the resolution adopted by the German Bundestag. /