Press release - Failure to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia is a mistake

Parliament expresses deep disappointment over the failure to agree on opening EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia at the EU summit on 17-18 October.

Metadata

Provider:

European Parliament

URL:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20191021IPR64717/

Retrieved on:

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Information

Tags:

Countries, World, International organizations, Trade blocs, North Macedonia, MACEDONIA, European Union

Summary

Key Points:

Parliament expresses deep disappointment over the failure to agree on opening EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia at the EU summit on 17-18 October.
MEPs regret the move by France, Denmark and the Netherlands to block the decision and say that Albania and North Macedonia have made considerable efforts over the last few years and meet the EUs criteria to start membership talks.
Praising North Macedonias efforts to settle difficult bilateral issues with its neighbouring countries, MEPs also welcome recent judiciary reforms in Albania.
Time to open negotiations is now
MEPs urge EU countries to act responsibly towards Albania and North Macedonia and to take a unanimous positive decision at the next meeting.