SOFIA/SKOPJE, June 11 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday referred to as on Bulgaria to elevate its veto on EU accession talks for North Macedonia, saying the bloc ought to keep away from dashing the membership hopes of nations in Western Balkans. learn extra
Scholz, visiting Sofia as a part of a two-day tour of the area forward of an EU-Western Balkans leaders’ summit on June 23, mentioned he sensed a “new willingness” by the EU to increase after Russia’s invasion to Ukraine.
The battle has lent new urgency to the method of making an attempt to tie the Western Balkans nearer to the 27-member bloc in a bid to counter Russian and Chinese language affect. The German chancellor has made the matter a international coverage precedence, and customary himself as a mediator throughout his journey.
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“I see probabilities for progress,” Scholz mentioned in a information convention with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. “We are going to keep in shut trade in coming days.”
Petkov reiterated Bulgaria’s stance that North Macedonia should meet three circumstances associated to historic and cultural disputes between the 2 nations, urging Brussels to ensure they had been met. learn extra
The difficulty is delicate for Bulgaria’s home politics. This week, one among Petkov’s 4 coalition companions stop, accusing him of being able to elevate Bulgaria’s veto in disregard of nationwide pursuits, amongst different allegations.
Earlier on Saturday, Scholz visited North Macedonia, which has already carried out many reforms in its bid to grow to be an EU member, resembling altering its identify to fulfill Greek objections.
Talking in Skopje alongside North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, Scholz mentioned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made it vital for Europe to face collectively.
On Friday, he visited Serbia and Kosovo, which declared independence from Belgrade in 2008. He urged the leaders to achieve an settlement on normalising relations. learn extra
Shortly earlier than returning to Germany, Scholz mentioned the desire amongst many EU members to get the Western Balkans into the EU was stronger than it had been “for a few years”.
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Reporting by Sarah Marsh in Skopje and Ivana Sekularac in Belgrade; further Reporting by Tom Sims in Frankfurt; Enhancing by Jason Neely and Clelia Oziel
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