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Von der Leyen: I fully support the start of accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia

Its full support for the start of its accession negotiations Northern Macedonia with the EU said the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during her visit today, Tuesday, to Skopje.

“I fully support the start of accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible. Do not lose your faith, you have come a long way, you have made great progress. You have the support of many friends in the EU. “Let us work hard to hold the first intergovernmental conference with the Union (which marks the start of accession negotiations)”, said the President of the Commission, after the meeting she had with the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Zoran Zaef.

“The truth is that the future of Northern Macedonia lies in the EU. and we want you next to us. The European Commission and I ourselves claim that you have made great progress and I want to be clear that now the EU must respond “, added Ursula von der Leyen, who also welcomed the reforms which the country applies, especially, as he said, in the field of rule of law and the fight against corruption and organized crime, according to the response of the RES EIA from the neighboring country.

The Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, in the meeting with the President of the Commission, expressed, as he said, the hope that the leaders of the EU member states. will confirm noted the strong commitment to the region ‘s accession to the Union and noted that any obstacle in this direction encourages retroactive forces in the region reacting to European integration.

It is recalled that in March 2020, EU countries had agreed that Northern Macedonia it can to start accession negotiations with the Union, which were to formally start last December, but Bulgaria veto, stating that it can not currently support such a development due to open national, linguistic and historical differences between Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia.

Sofia wants Skopje to recognize what their nation and language are Bulgarian roots, something that is categorically rejected by Northern Macedonia, which accuses Bulgaria of undermining its European course, broadcasts the APE BPE. Sofia also accuses Skopje of anti-Bulgarian rhetoric and reluctance to implement a bilateral friendship agreement between the two countries from 2017.

EU Enlargement Commissioner expected to visit Skopje tomorrow Oliver Varchell, who visited Sofia last week to see if Bulgaria could to change his attitude regarding the start of the accession negotiations of Northern Macedonia with the EU.

Preparations for the EU – Western Balkans Summit

The President of the Commission went to Skopje from Tirana, where previously today she had meetings with its political and state leadership Of Albania.

Ursula von der Leyen is touring the countries of the countries from today until October 1. Western Balkans, in view of the EU Summit Western Balkans to take place on 6 October in Slovenia.

As part of this tour she will also visit Kosovo, τη Serbia, the Montenegro and Serbia.

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