Merkel: I'm so sorry we didn't reach agreement on Albania, Northern Macedonia

German Kaneklar Angela Merkel expressed regret at the negative decision issued by the European Union heads of state to launch membership talks for northern Macedonia and Albania in the EU.

When we discussed the opening of unfortunately we were unable to reach an agreement with Albania and North Macedonia. I'm really sorry about that decision. Germany's position has been to launch talks, if certain conditions were met, but we did not achieve unanimity on this matter”, Merkel said.

We will continue to discuss this topic and have agreed that before the Zagreb summit, we will return to this matter”.

We must admit that Macedonia has done much with the name issue. Albania has done a lot too, take, for example, the matter of vetoing. But we failed to make a unanimous decision about the events that have been made”.

When you look at the map, you realize how important these countries are to become part of the European Union”, the Chancellor added.