The European Union accession path of Albania will be separated from that of North Macedonia, with the first set of negotiations expected to open in mid-October formally.
Speaking for Euractiv, the Bulgarian permanent representative spokesperson said that the decision to decouple the accession process of Albania and North Macedonia was taken unanimously by the Ambassadors of the EU member states on September 25, Schengen.News reports.
The negotiations on EU accession for the two Western Balkan countries were formally launched in 2022 when they were also coupled. However, since North Macedonia has been having disputes with Bulgaria, the opening of further talks was delayed, impacting the progress of Albania unjustly.
Following the unanimous decision on the decoupling of the process, Euractiv explains that Albania will take the first step in the opening of “Cluster 1 – Fundamentals” and the intergovernmental conference framework on October 15.
While the EU authorities have yet to share more specific information on the matter, the cluster will include a number of chapters, such as justice, statistics, procurement, and freedom and security, among others.
The decision to decouple the EU accession process for the two countries is good news for Albania. Nonetheless, the case is not the same for North Macedonia, as it is unknown when the country will be able to make progress in the matter.
Bulgaria Blocking North Macedonia’s Progress Towards EU Accession Until Agreement Recognising Bulgarian Minority Is Fulfilled
However, since North Macedonia has not implemented such changes, its process along Albania’s was stalled.
Taking into account the roadblocks, the new government of North Macedonia, which took office in May 2023, said that it wants to renegotiate the agreement reached between the two countries during the French Presidency of the EU Council.
Nonetheless, the EU rejected this move and said that it would give Albania a chance to advance by decoupling its EU accession path from North Macedonia.
As for North Macedonia, the EU authorities have not explained what steps would be taken next.
Source: https://schengen.news/eu-separates-albanias-accession-path-from-north-macedonia/