BRUSSELS – On Monday, a European Union executive said that Albania and North Macedonia have done enough to merit the start of negotiations to join the EU, paving the way for France to undo its freeze on the aspirations of the two states.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron blocked talks from opening in October with Skopje and Tirana, saying that he was willing to let them begin membership talks if, in March, the European Commission gave them a positive review.
After Monday’s release of progress reports, Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi stated Albania and North Macedonia reformed their economies, judicial systems and other matters of state to prepare meeting EU standards.
“The Commission stands firmly by its recommendations to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. I hope that the member states will take a positive decision in the coming weeks.”
– Oliver Varhelyi, Enlargement Commissioner
The decision will be made by EU member governments later this month and the approval shall lead to an EU leader summit and all six western Balkan countries in May. The list of countries includes Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and North Macedonia.
There is a growing concern in the EU about influence from China and Russia on the six states. There has been a sense that the bloc is not transforming countries scarred by the 1990 Balkan wars into market economies.
In October last year, Macron refused to approve commencing “accession negotiations” stating that the admission process for new countries must change.
In February, the Commission suggested change in the accession process in line with a French proposal made last November which gave the European Union more say and freedom to stop or resent negotiations and to freeze funds.
Macron, who formerly received support from both Denmark and Netherlands, may drop their resistance too according to EU diplomats.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.