The opening of the first negotiating cluster for North Macedonia is linked to the constitutional changes the country is committed to.
This is what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said to Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, BGNES reported.
"We have a very clear objective and that is to open the first negotiating cluster as soon as possible. I hope all political forces in the country will come together to take this decisive step forward. I am sure we can overcome the obstacles," Von der Leyen said .
"Corridor 8 is a very important project that will connect you with Albania and Bulgaria", the Commission President further emphasized.
Although he was asked explicitly during the joint press conference whether he had shared with EC President Ursula von der Leyen his proposal that the "constitutional changes" be postponed, Mickoski in his answer did not even mention this idea, which he repeats every day and claims to have the support of "big countries in Europe".
BGNES reminds that Albania started official negotiations for membership in the bloc after it was separated from North Macedonia. The two countries were supposed to start negotiations together, but this did not happen due to the refusal of the regime of Hristijan Mickoski to fulfil its obligations under the Negotiating Framework.
Yesterday, 23 October, the European Commission approved the reform plans of North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, linked to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The countries commit to socio-economic and fundamental reforms that they must implement between 2024 and 2027 in order to receive the €6 billion in EU funds. | BGNES
