Mogherini: Membership negotiations with Macedonia and Albania must be opened as soon as possible

 Federica Mogherini

 The high Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, reiterated on Monday the need to open the membership negotiations for northern Macedonia and Albania.

Mogherini hosted a press conference ahead of the regular meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

"I want to start with a positive comment because today (June 17th) is the first anniversary of the signing of the Prespa Agreement between Greece and North Macedonia. I think we should remember the power of leadership, courage and the important steps that have been taken in the Western Balkans.

The Member States should remember this and assess the steps taken forward, especially when in the coming days an important decision will be taken - to open the negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, which I think should be done as soon as possible. The failure to open negotiations not only affects the motivation of the countries but also undermines the credibility of the enlargement process."

By drawing the attention also to the fact that a failed process could simultaneously harm the peace and stability of the region, Mogherini urged EU member states to unanimously confirm the start of the negotiations with Skopje and Tirana.

At the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday, member states are expected to të deal with the Balkans as well. Some have called for a positive decision to open the membership negotiations.