Johannes Hahn

Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and Prime Minister Ludovic Orban has stated on Monday that the Liberals endorse, within the European People's Party (EPP) Congress, Donald Tusk as President and Siegfired Muresan as Vice -President. "We endorse a candidate to the EPP Vice-President office, namely Siegfried Muresan, we endorse the candidacy of Donald Tusk as EPP President.

Mariya Gabriel is one of twelve candidates for the post of Vice-President of the European People's Party, 24 Hours reported.

She is highly trusted by European leaders and is expected to become one of the ten Vice-Presidents. In addition, her Austrian counterpart, Johannes Hahn is also running for the post.

Hungary's candidate for the post of European Union enlargement commissioner set out an ambitious plan for integration of the Balkan region before the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Thursday, including a target of 2020 to broker a deal to settle relations between Serbia and its former southern province, Kosovo.

In his report to the European Parliament on the Western Balkans, the Commissioner for Accession Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said that the prospect of EU accession was the biggest impetus for reforms and processes in the region, and when it came to Serbia, he said that the idea of an agreement with Kosovo would only make sense if there is a prospect of joining the EU.

The European Parliament has adopted, by a large majority, a resolution in support of the opening of negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania for EU accession.

The European Union commissioner for enlargement, Johannes Hahn, on Thursday lamented last week's decision not to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania as "a matter of deep disappointment."

In opening remarks at the European Parliament plenary debate on opening the accession talks, Hahn said that EU leaders have "failed to live up to their commitment."

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Friday failed to persuade France to allow a hoped-for start to accession talks for North Macedonia and Albania - and also failed to agree on a written conclusion, which, in the absence of a date for EU talks, would have sent a positive message to Skopje and Tirana about their further engagement in the process.

European Union ministers failed on Tuesday to reach a consensus on whether to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia, amid stiff opposition to the move from France.
"It was not a moment of glory for Europe," Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn told reporters in Luxembourg after taking part in a meeting of European affairs ministers.

In a major boost to the EU membership hopes of both Balkan countries, the German Bundestag on Thursday night voted to support the start of EU accession talks for North Macedonia and Albania.

The vote means the German government should be "in favour" of a start date for the two countries at the European Council meeting on October 17-18.

In the new European Commission, Bulgarian Maria Gabriel will create new perspectives for new generations with a portfolio of innovation and youth.

This was announced by EC President Ursula von der Leyen at the presentation of the new European Commission.