EU Once Again Fails to Reach Deal on North Macedonia and Albania

OrganizationsOther ♦ Published: October 16, 2019; 07:49 ♦ (Vindobona)

The two Western Balkan states must continue to wait for the hoped-for start of EU accession negotiations. France, the Netherlands and Denmark blocked an EU decision in support of the two Balkan states and justified it with doubts about the progress of reforms. Austria has pledged its support until the last minute and has tried to turn the tide.

Bierlein and Schallenberg have pledged their support until the last minute and have tried to turn the tide. / Picture: © Vindobona.org

The EU General Affairs Council discussed enlargement and the stabilisation and association process as regards Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia. Following the discussion, the presidency issued procedural conclusions noting that that the Council will revert to the issue after the European Council.

The government in Paris also demanded a fundamental reform…