The European Union should start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible to retain the credibility of the enlargement process and discourage ides of redrawing borders in the region, which would lead to destabilization in this part of Europe, North Macedonia’s Minister of Defence Radmila Shekerinska and Italy’s Undersecretary for European Affairs Vincenzo Amendola said during a meeting in Rome.
“Bulgaria’s veto ruins the credibility of the European Union’s enlargement process. Weakening the European prospects of countries in the region encourages ideas for redrawing of borders and sounds an alarm. The region can’t backslide into nationalism. EU has the responsibility to make the right decisions and renew the European prospects of Western Balkan countries that deserve this – it’s the best guarantee for stability and progress in the region,” Minister Shekerinska underlined.
Amendola, the Defence Ministry said in a press release on Thursday, reaffirmed Italy’s position as a strong supporter of the Western Balkans’ full EU integration, adding that not setting a date for starting talks with North Macedonia and Albania is a serious mistake that must be rectified.
“Italy will continue to lobby for the start of accession talks and holding the first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible,” he stressed.
