12 minutes agoTensions north: European Commission President Has Call for Kosovo, Serbia
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit to Skopje on Tuesday has stressed her concern for the situation in Kosovo, demanding from the parties the extension of the situation in northern Kosovo. “I am concerned about the current crisis between Serbia and Kosovo. It is important now that things are not [...]
“I am concerned about the current crisis between Serbia and Kosovo. It is important now that things do not escalate and the parties sit at the negotiating table. The EU has a long history and has been built on close economic dialogue and co-operation. When we started 70 years ago and after a terrible part of our history in World War II, it took a lot of dialogue and cooperation for wounds to heal to build friendship and, based on belief, reconciliation came. A negotiating table needed to talk about problems”, Ursula von der Leenen said after meeting with northern Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
She welcomed a statement by the Macedonian prime minister, who said dialogue could be useful for the future of people.
“I remain a powerful supporter of dialogue. Leaders should sit at the table and discuss resolving problems. I am convinced that we should use all possibilities for talks, partnership, bilateral co-operation. Repeat, the Berlin Process is the best thing in the Western Balkans. I am glad that the president of the Commission will have the focus of its agenda on the Western Balkans. We can always do something at home. We're friends with all the neighbors, and we're going to continue”, Zaev has declared.
The European Commission's president, even in Skopje, reiterated its support for the start of membership talks with Northern Macedonia and Albania.
I fully support the opening of accession negotiations with northern Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible. I want them to start as soon as possible, by the end of the year. I call you: Do not lose faith. You've done and achieved much, let's take another step forward. You have a lot of friends and support at the European Commission”, recently declared der Leyen.
She and Prime Minister Zaev stressed their belief that the upcoming Western Balkan summit in Slovenia on 6 October will move forward with EU enlargement, marking the hold of the first Intergovernmental Conference by the end of the year.
In question whether the European Commission will start negotiations only with Albania, if Bulgaria continues to block Northern Macedonia, the EU chief said it wants the two countries, simultaneously, to start negotiations and the accession process as soon as possible.
Bulgaria, an EU member state, has vetoed official Skopje because of disagreements involving language and identity.
