Germany remains committed to the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession talks. Discussions are underway at the highest level between the German government, stakeholders and the Portuguese EU Presidency. We encourage North Macedonia and Bulgaria to work together in the future on setting a positive agenda to prove their cooperation, taking a step toward holding the first intergovernmental conference with the EU, said German Ambassador to North Macedonia Anke Holstein on Monday, expressing optimism and assurance in the successful outcome of these activities.
“The start of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations falls under the area of enlargement, one of the key priorities of Germany’s EU Presidency. All except one member state reached common ground. However, Germany remains committed to this issue. Discussions are underway at the highest level between the German government and stakeholders. Moreover, Germany is cooperating closely with the Portuguese EU Presidency,” Ambassador Holstein told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on the occasion of signing a grant agreement with Germany’s KfW Bank on renewable sources of energy.
She encouraged Bulgaria and North Macedonia to work together on their joint agenda and take a step in the right direction for reaching a consensus between EU’s 27 member states regarding the start of accession talks.
“Germany encourages North Macedonia and Bulgaria to work together on their joint agenda in the future and prove their cooperation, thus taking a step in the right direction for reaching a consensus between EU’s 27 member states and holding the first intergovernmental conference. As a diplomat, I’m an optimist, but I’m also convinced that this will work. We’re all aware that North Macedonia deserves to start negotiations,” German Ambassador Holstein noted.
