Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie

Greece was the second most popular destination behind Italy for Albanian migrants in search of jobs and a better standard of living between 2008 and 2018, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

During that 10-year period, 622,000 Albanian citizens received residence permits from EU countries, Eurostat said.

Montenegro was already making only slow progress in EU accession negotiations, before France sent a message to the region with its 'Non' to Albania and North Macedonia.

EU leaders have failed to agree to launch accession talks with northern Macedonia and Albania, NOVA TV reported.

Leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia have signed a so-called "mini-Schengen" deal, which, modelled on the passport-free zone of the EU, envisages free movement of people, goods, capital, and services between their three countries. Officials of the three countries said they expect all six countries of the Western Balkans to join the area soon.

Parliament has adopted a statement supporting Northern Macedonia and Albania to open EU accession talks. Deputies approved the Cabinet's Framework Position, which sets out a number of conditions for both countries.

Parliament adopted the statement by 129 votes in favor, 4 against, one abstaining. 

Greece's former prime minister Alexis Tsipras has urged the European Union to back entry talks with North Macedonia later this month.

In an op-ed article in the Financial Times, the country's main opposition leader said the European Council's decision "will show whether the bloc can be as courageous as the young, dynamic Balkan country that is knocking on its door."

The armed forces chiefs of Greece and North Macedonia on Monday signed a technical agreement to allow the policing of the latter's airspace by Greek fighter jets, as the country prepares for its full accession into NATO.

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok says Skopje and Tirana need to be evaluated separately as regards the start of accession talks with the European Union, according to MIA, citing Albanian Top Channel television.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday met with his counterparts from Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in New York to discuss the future of the Western Balkans and ways to strengthen regional cooperation.

A bid by the authorities in North Macedonia to relabel public statues of historic figures was undermined on Friday by vandals who removed three plaques from statues in Skopje.