Rama: If negotiations are opened within six-month French Presidency, we will seek a split from Northern Macedonia

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared today that if the European Council does not open negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia within the 6th month of the French Presidency, official Tirana will change course and will openly seek to separate the accession process from Northern Macedonia.

At a joint press conference with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and Good Neighborship Oliver Varhely, Rama said they had a broad and very open discussion on the integration process.

“We are on a course that has defined our position as a constructive position and as a position related to the position of Northern Macedonia and, of course, in line with the position of the Commission and with the position of the Council for not separating Albania from Northern Macedonia. This is our current position”, Rama said.

The head of the government said he has informed Varhely that if after 6 months of French Presidency chairmanship with the EU, the situation remains unchanged, then Albania will change course and openly seek to separate the accession process from Northern Macedonia.

But this remains to be activated as an approach after this European Council meeting. And until this meeting of the European Council we are absolutely in the position that both countries should open negotiations”, Rama said. / ATSH