Tusk appeals to EU leaders to back opening of accession talks with N. Macedonia

“Skopje is the best possible place where I would like to appeal to the leaders of the European Union: Now you do your share. Because North Macedonia has already done its share,” Tusk said in a press release, following a meeting with North Macedonia's prime minister Zoran Zaev in Skopje.

North Macedonia’s efforts over the past years have been remarkable, Tusk said, adding that through the friendship treaty with Bulgaria and the Prespa agreement with Greece, the country has become a champion of "political rationalism and political maturity in the region."

"These achievements are truly impressive, internationally recognised and should not be wasted by the EU,” Tusk said.

He also noted that North Macedonia has done everything that was expected of it for the EU to be able to launch the negotiations in line with the European Commission's recommendation.

In June, the Council of the European Union said it will discuss the issue of opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia no later than October in light of the limited time available and the importance of the matter.

North Macedonia is a EU candidate country since 2005 and Albania since 2014.