European Union does not open membership negotiations with Albania, Northern Macedonia

Union foreign ministers failed to find solutions for setting a date for holding the first intergovernmental conference with Tirana and Skopje. Bulgaria made no concessions for the open issues it has with Northern Macedonia, while the EU refuses to have Albania's division in the integration process.

Portugal's Foreign Minister, Anna Paula Zacarias, said at the conclusion of the Summit of Foreign Ministers: “Despite all efforts, it was impossible to agree on the negotiating framework for Albania and Northern Macedonia and to hold the first intergovernmental conferences with these two states. But we agreed that the Slovenian presidency will continue efforts to achieve the positive conclusions the Portuguese presidency had adopted. The European perspective for Western Balkan countries is vital and it is important not to lose this moment”.

Earlier were the foreign ministers of Germany and Slovenia, which intensified pressure to remove the Bulgarian blockade, but without result. Hope for setting a date remains at the next summit, expected to be held during autumn.