France Changes Attitudes Toward Albania, Northern Macedonia

French Ambassador to Skopje Kristijan Timonie, in contrast with earlier statements stressing that once enlargement should be reformed and negotiations opened, it now stresses that the two processes could take place in parallel, including the opening of negotiations and implementation of methodology, respectively.

There is a question of EU functioning reform on our part, because it will make no sense to accept you in the union that it is not. From this point of view, I'm going to say that the processes can be led in parallel, because the path that is ahead of you is not short, but there is also a way of our internal reforms in the union, which is also not short. They'll probably come together and I think we're gonna have to work on this. That's a positive approach, and I think we're the honest ones who say things the way they are. I think at this moment what was described as a historic error, we are making historic possibilities”, Kristijan Timone said.

Meanwhile, European Parliament head David Sasol said the EU map should be expanded with Western Balkan countries.

We need to talk, but I think the process is not terminated, but it has to be rushed. I think there are opportunities for the coming months to start with the process and key of northern Macedonia and Albania, while it is very important. The Parliament has good will for decisions when it comes to the membership process”, stated David Sasol, chairman of the European Parliament.

These comments were made after meeting with the leaders of the Western Balkan countries' countries. On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani, who is also in Brussels, said there are positive signals for starting talks with the EU before May. Of importance according to him is for the law on prosecution to be brought with consensus to be taken, as he said, the arguments countries which oppose EU enlargement. /Alsat/