Brussels – We should work to totally meet the obligations of North Macedonia, that are conditions for it to formally open accession negotiations, and the earlier reforms are applied and all standards met, the earlier we’ll conclude the enlargement course of and every of the Western Balkan companions will enter the European Union, stated right this moment the President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa, in an interview with a bunch of journalists from the Western Balkans, together with the MIA correspondent from Brussels.
– In fact, it’s essential to respect what North Macedonia has achieved, and I believe it is vitally vital to strengthen belief between North Macedonia and its neighbors, particularly Bulgaria. We should work to make sure that North Macedonia absolutely meets its obligations, that are conditions for North Macedonia to formally open negotiations. I’ve nice respect for the efforts that North Macedonia has made prior to now to beat obstacles, particularly with Greece. It is a nation that even modified its title to beat these obstacles, Costa emphasised in response to a query from MIA.
Concerning the deadline set by his predecessor Charles Michel, who set 2030 because the goal for the admission of recent members to the EU, Costa stated that as he emphasised in his inaugural speech when taking workplace on the finish of final month, he doesn’t consider in “synthetic calendars.”
– Crucial factor is for all of us to appreciate that we’ve little time and that we really feel the sense of urgency. With every passing day, it will likely be more durable for the individuals of the Western Balkans to consider that, in reality, at some point, we’ll full this course of (of accession), Costa stated.
He added that he can not say whether or not it would occur in a single, three, or 4 years, however the focus should be positioned on what must be finished primarily based on that sense of urgency.
– The earlier we handle to finish the reforms, the earlier we can meet all the standards, and the earlier we’ll full this course of, and every associate from the Western Balkans will enter the European Union. The earlier this occurs, the earlier we can have a safer, safer, and extra affluent Europe, Costa added. (December 16)
