The Chancellor reiterated that Germany is serious about integrating the states of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
(Photo: dpa)
Skopje Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the immediate start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia. “The accession negotiations that were firmly promised two years ago must begin now. In any case, I will campaign for it,” said the SPD politician on Saturday after talks with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski in Skopje. “My wish: it should work now.”
He reiterated that Germany is serious about integrating the Western Balkan states into the European Union. “This is especially true for North Macedonia. The EU is particularly committed to North Macedonia, which has met all the requirements for the start of accession negotiations.” Scholz praised the “political power” that made it possible for the country to reach an understanding with Greece. “That’s why we should still succeed in the rest of the tasks.”
Almost 20 years ago, the six countries in the Western Balkans were given the prospect of joining the EU. “As the European Union, we also have an obligation to implement and realize the credibility of our own promises,” said the Chancellor.
Kovacevski made it clear that his country hoped the EU summit in June would confirm the start of accession negotiations. “We expect a step that we deserve.” North Macedonia has made great efforts and reformed the administration and the judiciary. “Chancellor Scholz’s visit is a strong signal that Berlin recognizes that we meet the criteria for starting accession negotiations.”
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Scholz also acknowledged that the country’s citizens and government had “worked very hard” to clear the way for accession negotiations. Now the harvest should be due for these efforts. Scholz encouraged the country to continue along the reform path it had taken. At the same time, he acknowledged that North Macedonia fully supports the EU positions and sanctions against Russia. “This is further evidence of how firmly North Macedonia stands on European values and is willing to stand up for them.”
North Macedonia has been an EU accession candidate for 17 years. In July 2020, the EU Commission basically gave the green light for concrete negotiations. However, these are blocked by Bulgaria because of a dispute over historiography and the rights of the Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia.
Kovacevski said in the press conference with Scholz: “We can see that there is political turbulence in Bulgaria, we have no influence on it, we cannot comment on it or interpret it.” However, it is obvious that this question has become a domestic political question in the neighboring country and “often one-sidedly instrumentalized and politicized”.
At the same time, however, the foreign ministries of both countries are in a process of talks to remove the obstacles to starting EU accession talks. “If a solution that is acceptable to both sides is reached, this will be recorded in a joint document,” said the head of government. “Currently, however, there is no such joint document.”
Bulgaria insists on vetoing EU talks with North Macedonia
Bulgaria is insisting on its preconditions for the start of European Union accession talks with North Macedonia. To do this, the EU would have to guarantee that the Bulgarians living in North Macedonia would be included in the constitution so that their rights would be respected, said Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Saturday in Sofia after talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Scholz also campaigned in Sofia for the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia. However, he also showed understanding for the difficulties in finding a compromise. “These things cannot be decreed, they must be accomplished collectively,” he said. “I think there are opportunities for progress.” Scholz called for overcoming the historical differences.
“The EU must be part of the guarantee so that we can take steps forward,” emphasized Petkov. He also demanded that a 2017 bilateral friendship treaty be respected and a 2019 Bulgarian framework document be taken into account. “The EU must be part of the guarantee so that we can take steps forward,” emphasized Petkov.
More: Scholz gives Balkan countries new EU hopes and calls for reforms