The first intergovernmental conference between EU and North Macedonia and the start of accession negotiations should happen without delay and we’re working on it taking place during the June EU summit, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a press conference on Friday.
“I think the key message of Thursday’s resolution is that North Macedonia has delivered and now it’s time for the EU to deliver. All these resolutions, conclusions and information of European institutions confirm the country’s EU perspective,” Osmani underlined.
However, he added, EU enlargement policies require consensus and the approval of all member states.
“Obviously we had the support of 26 member states regarding the negotiating framework and starting talks last year, but all 27 members have to agree to adopt the document and hold the first intergovernmental conference,” the FM said.
He wished Bulgaria successful election and speedy formation of institutions, so as to resume communication over the date for the first intergovernmental commission meeting and finalize the action plan.
“I don’t think that we can make progress in the next few days prior to the election in Bulgaria,” Osmani noted.
He stressed that the target date for starting negotiations is the June EU summit and according to him, all member states are committed to this task.
“My impression is that the Portuguese Presidency, as well as other member states, take seriously the need to start as soon as possible accession talks with North Macedonia and I believe that at this stage it’s no longer an issue of will, but specific steps. I expect these steps to materialize quickly in the next few weeks,” the Minister underlined.
Regarding the committee on historical issues, Osmani said that members hold regular meetings but are yet to find common ground on the annual report.
“The committee is holding regular meetings, but members are yet to find common ground on the annual report. However, at each meeting there’s some progress. It’s important they meet more often to adopt the report, so that next week we can initiate a date for holding a commission meeting,” Osmani added.
