Member States, at ambassadorial level, discussed on Thursday 13 June a possible appointment clause for the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
According to draft conclusions, the General Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday 18 June in Luxembourg could decide to return to the issue with a view to reaching a positive decision as soon as possible and at the latest in September 2019.
A European source clarified that in principle, States seemed to agree to have an appointment clause, but that the discussion was about the date itself. Earlier in the day, German Chancellor Angela Merkel informed Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev that the Bundestag would take a decision in September on the opening of accession negotiations. The September General Affairs Council, scheduled for 16 September, may be premature.
The other topic of discussion is the degree of language engagement, i.e. the level of automaticity regarding the opening of negotiations, according to this source.
Ambassadors are expected to return to the issue on Sunday afternoon, 16 June and, if necessary, Monday evening, 17 June. Their objective would be to ensure that the text of the conclusions is as closed as possible before it is discussed by ministers.
Opposition by the Dutch Parliament to the opening of negotiations with Albania
In addition, on Wednesday 12 June, the Dutch Parliament opposed the opening of negotiations for Albania's accession to the EU. It voted for a resolution calling for no negotiations with Tirana in 2019 by 105 votes out of 150, particularly because of the insufficient progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime. In turn, a resolution calling not to open negotiations with North Macedonia was not adopted. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)