Austrian Minister for Europe, Claudia Bauer, says North Macedonia could join the European Union during this decade, but achieving that goal will require political will from both Skopje and Brussels. In an interview with Sloboden Pechat, Bauer said constitutional amendments remain necessary for opening the first negotiating cluster, while stressing that they should not create additional conditions for the country.
“Bilateral issues must be resolved through bilateral dialogue. They must not be allowed to hold the entire accession process hostage”, Bauer said, adding that Austria supports constructive dialogue and a fair compromise.
She also called for clearer and more predictable conditions in the accession process, particularly after bilateral disputes have delayed North Macedonia’s progress.
“The constitutional amendments are an agreed step toward opening the first cluster. But they must not lead to an endless series of new demands”, Bauer said.