Merkel: First Chapters with Macedonia and Albania to Open This Year

Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has presented the German EU Presidency priorities for the next six months, mentioning only negotiations with Macedonia and Albania on the topic of enlargement. The Western Balkans, Africa, the fight against disinformation, migration, Russia and China, are Germany’s top foreign policy priorities for the next six months. For Merkel, the opening of negotiations with Skopje and Tirana is an important signal of the EU’s commitment to the integration of the Western Balkans. According to her, if the two countries maintain the current pace of reform, the first chapters of the negotiations could open in November or December. Until then, the European Commission should also publish regular reports on reform progress in all countries in the region.