Source: GettyImages / Guliver
“We will have to wait and continue to do so, also relying more on each other than on what Brussels is saying,” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was quoted as saying by BTA.
He met with Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev after the start of EU accession talks between the two countries was once again postponed due to Bulgaria’s veto.
“We all have the right to feel disappointed, because suddenly Bulgaria starts wanting more. I told Zoran that I hope that they will not want you to call yourself Western Bulgaria, because in that case you will have to sit down again to negotiate with Greece, “Rama said.
Albania: Bulgaria holds negotiations with the EU in its hands
“> Albania: Bulgaria holds EU talks in its hands
“We are not the ones who failed, they are the ones who failed. They have their reasons and I understand that this is their home and we want to enter. They keep saying: you are not ready, which is not true. They could simply say, “You have done your job, but we are not ready,” the Albanian prime minister stressed.
“Whatever happens, whatever is decided in Brussels, we remain committed to strengthening the economy, improving living standards and protecting our dignity,” Rama said, noting that the EU has again failed to make the right decision. .
For his part, Zoran Zaev pointed out that Bulgaria’s decision not to give the green light to the negotiating framework, despite the consent of the other 26 member states, is not in the spirit of good neighborly relations.
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The Macedonian Prime Minister called on the European integration process not to become a hostage of bilateral disputes.
“Negotiations with the EU should not turn into negotiations with Bulgaria,” Zaev said, adding that the country’s progress in European integration should depend primarily on domestic reforms.
“Although we have lowered our expectations, the EU’s decision not to schedule the first intergovernmental conference with Northern Macedonia and Albania is still a great disappointment,” Zoran Zaev acknowledged.
For Skopje and Tirana, Europe remains the only alternative and national strategic goal, Zaev said. He added that both sides are making sincere efforts to achieve this goal.
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According to Zoran Zaev, quoted by MIA, the fact that 26 countries cannot prevent the blockade of one is a problem caused by the EU itself.
“We are not alone and we will never be alone. The Macedonian and Albanian people have a common vision, common values, which are also European values. We will not stop and we know that Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are with us on this path, “Zaev said.
