EU delays decision on North Macedonia, Albania membership talks - Daily Sabah

Europe ministers met in Luxembourg almost a year to the day since they unexpectedly postponed a decision to start the talks with the two countries and cast doubt on the EU's Balkan strategy to counter a growing Russian and Chinese presence.

After much wrangling, the 28 EU states unanimously agreed to take "a clear and substantive decision" on the two hopefuls no later than October.

Despite a recommendation by the EU's executive Commission for North Macedonia and Albania to start talks, Germany's parliament has pushed back any decision until September and the Dutch lower house has rejected negotiations with Albania.

France has also shown reluctance, calling for the EU to sort out its own internal problems before admitting new members.

The EU text says that any future enlargement would not only depend on candidates' progress on reforms but also on "ensuring that the EU can maintain and deepen its own development, including its capacity to integrate new members".

EU delays decision on North Macedonia, Albania membership talks - Daily Sabah

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