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EU “red” for the accession process of Northern Macedonia and Albania

The General Affairs Council of The European Union which met today (22/06) in Luxembourg, failed to turn on the “green light” to start the accession process for Northern Macedonia and Albania.

As stated by the Minister of European Affairs of Portugal and President of the Council, Anna Paola Zakaria, “it was not possible to agree on the negotiating framework for Northern Macedonia and Albania and to launch the first intergovernmental conference for the two candidate countries “.

She added that the Portuguese presidency of the EU tried to find a solution, however “Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia are living in a difficult political time”, mentioned features. “This is not the right time, we have to find a solution that is acceptable to all,” he said, adding that Slovenia, which holds the EU presidency for the next six months on July 1, would continue its efforts to find a solution. reach a positive result soon.

“The overall atmosphere in EU-Turkey relations has improved”

Alongside, the EU General Affairs Council prepared the topics for the Summit on 24 and 25 June, said Anna Paola Zakaria, during the same press conference.

Topics of the Summit include coordination of EU countries to deal with the pandemic, vaccination campaigns, coordination of travel and movement within the Union, the immigration issue, and foreign policy issues such as Turkey and Russia.

As for Turkey, according to the APE-MPE, Transparency Commissioner Vera Jurova said the overall atmosphere in EU-Turkey relations has improved.

In particular, he noted that the Council welcomes the relative de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the continuation of direct talks between Turkey and Greece. It is pointed out, however, that progress needs to be made in some areas, such as Cyprus. “We remain closely linked to Turkey on all issues of mutual interest,” Jurova said.

He also noted that the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had a telephone conversation yesterday with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, about the content of which she will inform the European leaders at the Summit.

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