Borrell Does Not Promise Date, But Will for Quick Negotiations

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EC Vice-President Josep Borrell said he could not promise a date for the start of EU membership talks, but said he promised a will, and where there is a will, there is a way. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, on the other hand, appeals to all EU member states to set a date for the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia as soon as possible. “Bilateral issues must no longer jeopardize any accession process, even if they are based on ethnic-linguistic considerations. That is our commitment,” Borrell said at joint press conference with Kovacevski, answering journalists’ questions regarding the start of negotiations with the EU and open issues with Bulgaria. He added that he understands the disappointment that many feel in North Macedonia and reiterated that the start of accession talks between the country and Albania is a high priority for the EU.