EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on political parties in North Macedonia to collaborate on efforts to join the European Union. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of making progress on constitutional changes for North Macedonia to advance its EU accession process.
The ongoing dispute between North Macedonia and EU member Bulgaria has hindered the country’s path towards EU membership. While the previous centre-left government agreed to include a reference to a Bulgarian ethnic minority in the constitution to overcome the deadlock, they lacked the necessary parliamentary majority to implement the change.
The current conservative government under Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski insists on amending the constitution only if Bulgaria agrees to North Macedonia’s EU membership without further conditions. Von der Leyen addressed this issue during a joint conference with Mickoski in Skopje as part of her tour of the region.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raising concerns about instability in Europe, there is a renewed sense of urgency for Balkan countries like North Macedonia striving for EU accession. Despite starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania in 2022, the EU has recently proceeded with Albania’s accession process separately, diverging from the previous approach of advancing both countries together.
Von der Leyen urged for bipartisan support in North Macedonia to facilitate the constitutional amendment process. As her regional tour continues, she will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro, aiming to reassure Western Balkan nations about their prospects for EU membership.
In the wake of recent floods and landslides in Bosnia, von der Leyen visited the devastated village of Donja Jablanica to witness the destruction firsthand. Expressing solidarity with the affected communities, she assured them of Europe’s support and assistance. Several countries have already mobilized teams through the EU’s civil protection mechanism to aid Bosnia in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
Von der Leyen’s visit to the region signifies the EU’s commitment to supporting candidate countries and addressing challenges such as natural disasters, while also engaging with key political issues like EU accession and constitutional reforms.
**Summary:**
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged political parties in North Macedonia to collaborate on advancing the country’s EU accession process by prioritizing necessary constitutional changes. Amidst challenges such as the dispute with Bulgaria and recent natural disasters, von der Leyen’s visit to the region underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Western Balkan nations on their path towards EU membership.