EU Conclusions for 23-24 June Do Not Mention North Macedonia and Bulgaria

The draft conclusions to be adopted by the European Council on 23-24 June state that the proposed European political community will not replace existing EU policies. It also means that enlargement policy will not change, and the countries of the Western Balkans in the European integration process are called upon to pursue reforms and resolve outstanding issues, including the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. According to a draft document inspected by Beta and EURACTIV.rs, the European Council held a ‘strategic discussion’ on relations between the EU and its partners in Europe and considered a proposal to start a European political community. For now, the draft says nothing about the negotiations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The Country’s path to the EU is hampered by the bilateral dispute with Bulgaria, which also affects Albania, whose accession process is linked to Skopje’s progress, EURACTIV.rs reported.