EU leaders agree to open accession talks with N. Macedonia, Albania

March 24 (SeeNews) - European Union member states on Tuesday reached a political agreement on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, EU enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate both countries. This also sends a loud and clear message to Western Balkans: your future is in EU," the commissioner said on Twitter.

The European Council granted the status of candidate country for EU membership to Albania in 2014 and to North Macedonia in 2005.