TIRANA (Albania), May 29 (SeeNews) – The European Commission (EC) recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia based on the determination shown by both countries to advance on the EU path and the achieved results that are concrete and must be irreversible, European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Wednesday.
“The EU's enlargement policy is an investment in peace, in security, in prosperity and in the stability of Europe,” Mogherini said in a statement following the adoption of the European Commission's annual enlargement package. "The Western Balkans are Europe and will be part of the EU's future, of a stronger, stable and united European Union.
In April 2018, the Commission first recommended that accession talks be opened with both countries.
Mogherini also said that the past year has been a year of positive change across the region.
Enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn said in the statement that Albania and North Macedonia have embraced the opportunity of the reinvigorated enlargement agenda, and delivered on reforms.
“North Macedonia not only continued its ambitious reform agenda, but also reached a historic agreement with Greece, resolving a 27-year old name dispute, an example for the entire region and beyond,” Hahn noted, adding that Albania is pursuing profound reforms, in particular a major transformation of its justice system.
In light of the significant progress achieved and the relevant conditions being met, the European Commission has repeated its recommendations of last year to open now accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn said in a Twitter post on Wednesday.
The Council is expected to decide to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in June.
North Macedonia is a candidate country since 2005 and Albania since 2014.