On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted its 2020 Work Programme. Among the priorities are starting negotiations with Macedonia and Albania. The Programme sets out the actions the Commission will take in 2020 to turn the Political Guidelines of President von der Leyen into tangible benefits for European citizens, businesses and society. “The Commission will develop new strategies for working with our neighbours in Africa and the Western Balkans. The Commission will continue to push for the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. In parallel, it will seek to – IP/20/124 keep up the momentum by putting forward ways to enhance the accession process, including on the enlargement methodology and on a reinforced investment framework. We will remain committed to upholding, updating and upgrading the rules-based order to make it fit for today’s realities. To strengthen the geopolitical role of the Commission, all Work Programme initiatives will have a strong external dimension,” it was added in the press-release.