North Macedonia

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.

This is carried out by the Plusinfo portal.
President Pendarovski explains that it will be on hold until the accession negotiations with the EU begin as a part of the Prespa Agreement that deals with internal and external communication and the use of the new state name.

France's opposition to the EU starting accession talks with North Macedonia has raised questions about the likely impact on its landmark agreement with Greece.

The international relations secretary of North Macedonia's nationalist opposition has said that if his VRMO-DPMNE party is voted to power in April, it would challenge the name deal signed with Greece in 2018.

The international relations secretary of North Macedonia's nationalist opposition has said that if his VRMO-DPMNE party is voted to power in April, it would challenge the name deal signed with Greece in 2018.

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

The text expresses disappointment at the failure of last week's summit after France, the Netherlands and Denmark blocked the decision. The lack of a solution is a strategic mistake, the resolution underlines.

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.

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev appeared before the Skopje Criminal Court on Thursday as a witness in the ongoing case "Target-Fortress", in which former top interior ministry and secret police officials are charged with masterminding and carrying out a massive illegal wiretapping operation.

A privileged special partnership would be a substitute for a full membership.
According to the proposal, financial support, special arrangements for access to European markets and other benefits would be offered to the Western Balkan countries in exchange for a "silent withdrawal" of full membership.

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."