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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz together with Dimitar Kovačevski (left), the Prime Minister of North Macedonia
Photo: Georgi Likovski/EPA
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on the European Union to start accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania.
It is important to give the process a new dynamic, said Scholz during a visit to North Macedonia's capital Skopje.
»The accession negotiations that were firmly promised two years ago must begin now.
In any case, I will campaign for it," said the SPD politician after a meeting with North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski.
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The Chancellor reiterated that Germany is serious about integrating the states of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
»This is especially true for North Macedonia.
The EU is particularly committed to North Macedonia, which has met all the requirements for the start of accession negotiations.«
Scholz acknowledged the political efforts that had led to an understanding between the country and Greece - and to a renaming of the country.
Until 2019 the state bore the name Republic of Macedonia.
EU accession candidate on a permanent basis
North Macedonia has been an EU accession candidate for 17 years.
In July 2020, the EU Commission basically gave the green light for concrete negotiations.
However, this requires a unanimous decision by the EU countries.
However, because of a dispute over history and the rights of the Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia, Bulgaria has so far blocked the negotiations.
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Prime Minister Kovačevski thanked Scholz for his support.
He expects that the summit of EU heads of state and government on June 23rd will be able to decide on the start of accession negotiations.
"It will be a gesture of appreciation for our efforts," he said.
His country wants to find solutions to the dispute with Bulgaria.
Scholz is currently on a trip through the Western Balkans.
After the final stay in Skopje, the Chancellor is expected in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
Meetings with Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and President Rumen Radev are planned there.
Albania has also been an official candidate for accession since 2014 and is also still waiting for accession talks to begin.
Scholz also wants to work for this.
vki/dpa/AFP/Reuters
