European Union on launched Tuesday membership Negotiation with Albania and Macedonia, long overdue step towards joining Bloc.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warmly congratulated prime Ministers of Albania and Macedonia.
“This is what your citizens are waiting for for It has long worked for So hard, it’s what they deserve.
the operation of joining What is today a 27-member conglomerate may take years, but official step marks a small win over for candidates.
“that it great Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovashevsky, who represents his country, said faced Many obstacles, including forced name change, on The path towards the European Union. “We are opening new Outlook – Perspectives for our country and for Citizens steadfastly but surely joining big european family. “
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, whose country has submitted a request for membership in 2009, he admitted that the talks may take some time. “we know It’s not the beginning of The end, it’s just the end of In an article by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he said, comment in 1942 – Three years before the end of World War II.
But von der Leyen paid tribute on Tuesday step forwardunder the pretext that both Tirana and Skopje already made great progress in Reforms to adopt European norms and standards.
“You showed resilience. You kept your faith in joining process. I boosted rule of Law. you are a killer against corruption. You have a free media, you have a vibrant civil society. I’ve made countless reforms, updated economy. “
Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and changed Its name is North Macedonia in 2018 to overcome a bitter dispute with Greece banned NATO membership Bidding.
The road to the European Union is still closed, first by reservation in Western capitals, particularly Paris, let around in Their Balkan neighbors are relatively poor and politically undisciplined.
Then Bulgaria ambushed the Skopje show and objected to any offer progress over raft of Complaints about recognition of North Macedonia history, culture and language.
On Saturday, Kovacevksi government announced He reached a compromise with Sofia involving more constitutional changesbut he can face more opposition in home.
However, in Brussels, everything was smiling as the leaders officially marked start of Negotiation.
Germany was the champion of North Macedonia causethe minister for Europe Anna Luermann hailed it as a “truly historic day” and promised to do so progress Once constitutional changes passed.
“North Macedonia can count on European Union. “Today we clearly decide that second IIC will take place as such soon Constitutional amendments are also passed. This is it set in Stone, this can’t be changed by Bulgaria or anyone else.”
