Dutch vote to veto opening EU accession talks with Albania
The Dutch parliament blocked on Thursday the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania, Beta agency is reporting, citing EURACTIVE.com.
The Netherlands made the move ahead of an EU summit on June 28-29 June that should decide on opening negotiations with Skopje and Tirana.
But opening negotiations with Albania is "unlikely" after a large majority in the Dutch parliament voted against, including MPs from Dutch PM's party, over "serious concerns about combating corruption," the report said.
MP Martijn Van Helvert is quoted as saying that the Netherlands "recognizes the increasing influence of Russia and China on the Western Balkans - but that this is is not a reason for compromising over the criteria of accession."
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