Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani has congratulated new Bulgarian top diplomat in the caretaker government, Svetlan Stoev, on his appointment and expressed expectations for meeting with him soon.
“Yesterday I congratulated new [Bulgarian] Foreign Minister on his appointment and expressed wishes for holding a meeting soon to discuss the idea for convening the intragovernmental commission, adopting reports on commissions’ activities, as well as an action plan. These are crucial steps for further Treaty implementation and building trust. For the past few months I’ve been insisting on convening as soon as possible the intergovernmental commission, the most important instrument for objectively determining the dynamic of Treaty implementation, something which we’re committed to doing,” Osmani told reporters during a press conference with Zef Mazi, Albania’s Chief Negotiator with the European Union.
He underlined that this is the only way to normalize relations, resume cooperation and continue with activities within instruments set up by the Treaty.
“It’s important to establish communication and convene as soon as possible the intergovernmental commission, set to improve cooperation. I expect we’ll meet soon. It’s crucial we’re ready and committed to the process, because June offers a unique opportunity. We have to make an effort to find common ground for setting a date in June and welcome all efforts in that regard,” Osmani said.
He reiterated the position that finding common ground with Bulgaria’s caretaker government is possible, stressing that communication and diplomatic attempts can produce results in the next week.
“We can’t stop. We have to use all capacities and mobilize all the support by June. A caretaker government can make this decision,” the FM noted.
Regarding possibly decoupling North Macedonia and Albania, he underlined that the former’s position is that it has met preconditions for starting talks and Brussels has to keep its promise. We, the Minister added, are not opposed to Tirana starting negotiations, but are against North Macedonia not starting talks.
“We’re not opposed to Albania starting negotiations with the EU, but North Macedonia cannot not start talks because we’ve met all preconditions – 40% of the EU acquis has been transposed and alignment with European foreign policy stands at 96%. All political and economic criteria have been met. Brussels should think about the message it’s sending to the region. They said ‘if you deliver, we’ll deliver’. We implemented reforms based on these promises. If they fails to keep their promise, we’ll lose the transformative power and alternative ideas will start appearing. Albania has met conditions and must resume at its own pace, because we don’t want to hold anybody hostage. But, the EU will send a negative message to the region if it doesn’t deliver on promises,” Minister Osmani told the press briefing.
