EC: If Sofia and Skopje do not agree, the EU Council will make a decision

We encourage Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia to resolve the outstanding issues so that the negotiations for the accession of Northern Macedonia to the EU can begin. This was stated today by a spokesman for the European Commission in response to questions related to the visit of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to Brussels.

The spokesman pointed out that on Zaev’s meeting with EC President Ursula von der Leyen a number of issues were discussed, including the possibility for the EU to finance the construction of infrastructure in the Republic of Northern Macedonia. Von der Layen has reaffirmed its support for the start of talks with Skopje. She encouraged the authorities in northern Macedonia to continue on the path of reforms.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Warhey told Zaev that the EU Council must agree on a negotiating framework in order to start negotiations. According to Varhei, if Sofia and Skopje do not reach an agreement, the EU Council must make a decision, the spokesman explained.

According to the EC, Albania and the Republic of Northern Macedonia are meeting the conditions for starting negotiations and have met the requirements. We would like the negotiations to start as soon as possible, the spokesman added. He explained that the convening of an intergovernmental conference to start negotiations is decided by the presidency of the Council of the EU, and for this it is necessary to reach an agreement on the negotiating framework.

Warhey: Identity cannot be a reason for a blockade

Earlier today, EU Commissioner Varhej welcomed the Northern Macedonian delegation with the message that its goal, as well as the goal of the European Commission, is to adopt the negotiating framework for Northern Macedonia during the current Portuguese presidency and to hold the first intergovernmental conference to start negotiations on Joining.

The EU Commissioner added that the EU is committed to the Western Balkans and today, in the Council of Foreign Ministers, there is a strategic debate on the Western Balkans, in which unblocking the European path of the Republic of Northern Macedonia is the number one priority. efforts and supports all ideas for a solution in order to unblock this process.

In turn, Zaev pointed out that he highly appreciates these efforts of the European Commission and expects a corresponding level of interlocutors from Bulgaria. The caretaker government in Sofia It may be an opportunity for a quick solution, but we expect the other side to be encouraged for openness, preparedness and commitment to a solution, Zoran Zaev stressed at the meeting.

We are prepared for talks, we believe that we should have another experience in the coming period, but our colleagues in Bulgaria and everyone in the European Union should know that we will not talk about our identity, nor will we negotiate all attempts. to be placed at the negotiating table will be rejected by the Macedonian side, Zaev stressed at the meeting.

Zoran Zaev and EU Commissioner Oliver Varhei agreed at the meeting that identity could not be the reason for the blockade of the European integration of the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

Skopje media about the talks in Brussels

The Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, went to Brussels for talks with the support of all political parties, that the state has done everything required of it, and now the EU must fulfill its promise, Skopje’s Nezavisne Vesnik reported. The publication states that the government and the opposition in the Republic of Northern Macedonia agree that the country should start negotiations with the EU without future conditions.

Zoran Zaev had the first of many scheduled meetings yesterday afternoon – with Miroslav Lajcak, the EU’s special envoy for Serbia-Kosovo talks and for the entire Western Balkans. Lajcak then announced on Twitter that he had met with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov and the head of diplomacy of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, on Europe Day, and discussed how to open accession talks. Zaev announced on Twitter that Northern Macedonia has fulfilled part of its obligations.

“It is time for the EU to fulfill its goals without delay, as any different decision will undermine the EU’s confidence in the entire Western Balkans,” Zaev wrote.

Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Northern Macedonia is scheduled to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, her First Deputy Frans Timmermans, European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell and Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Silva. He will then travel to Spain for talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and then go to Athens for an economic forum, where he will meet with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Skopje media reported.

The EU is due to decide on the first intergovernmental conferences with the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Albania at a summit in June. There will then be a caretaker government in Bulgaria, which will prepare for the elections scheduled for July 11, Nezavisen Vesnik notes.

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