North Macedonia still has a chance to hold the first EU intergovernmental conference this year, during Germany’s EU Presidency, said Chancellor Angela Merkel at Monday’s video-conference with Members of the European Parliament, Deutsche Welle in Macedonian language reports.
However, Chancellor Merkel said they are facing difficulties regarding the intergovernmental conference and there is a need for talks between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
“We are facing difficulties in ensuring the intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia. Albania has made enormous progress, but the question now is whether we will manage to make it in time with North Macedonia, because there is still a need for talks between Bulgaria and North Macedonia,” said Merkel.
During the Q&A session, she expressed hope that North Macedonia would launch accession talks this year, while Albania would have to wait.
“Things are a bit different in the case of Albania. Despite the progress, I cannot promise it will happen this year, but very soon,” added Merkel.
The German Chancellor told MEPs that much attention is dedicated to the Western Balkans, which “produces tensions but also progress”.
According to her, the Berlin Process has proved to be a good initiative that yields results.
