The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, and the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, have taken the opposite view of the European Council by reiterating their support for the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania (see EUROPE 12352/2).
At a dinner on Tuesday 29 October in Brussels, Ms Mogherini and the leaders of the Western Balkan countries expressed their regret at the European Council's refusal to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. They ensured that the integration of the Western Balkans remained a decisive strategic objective.
On Wednesday 30 October, David Sassoli announced that he would make his first official visit outside the EU to North Macedonia. He will travel to Skopje on 4 and 5 November. A trip to Albania is also planned for early December. Considering these two visits “of highest importance [...] at this moment”, he considered that “Albania and North Macedonia have delivered on the reforms we asked from them and now deserve to be rewarded for their extraordinary efforts”. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki, intern)