Ministers of 13 EU nations support Western Balkans' integration

In the statement, the European Union Council is urged, at the June meeting, to make a decision to open membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia.

The start of negotiations in June 2019 will contribute to strengthening countries' stability towards foreign interests, and harmful, other actors, and will ensure that the EU continues to be the key player for a positive transformation of the region”, the statement said.

The chiefs of diplomacy of 13 EU member states stress that it is essential to continue with the Western Balkan integration process, and according to them, along with this process, there is no plan B.

“is essential to ensuring the region's overall progress. The EU must fulfil its clear commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans. There's no plan B”, said in the statement, follows rel.

The declaration has been signed by the foreign ministers of Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Malta, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia.

That statement comes at a time when EU member states are divided in terms of opening membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia.

The European Commission has recommended the unconditional opening of membership negotiations between Brussels and Skopje and Tirana.

The debate at the European Union Council will be held during June, however, because these issues require reconciliation among EU member states at the moment, there is no common position of the EU to confirm the European Commission's recommendation.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker earlier admitted there is no consensus among member states for adopting the opening of membership negotiations at present.