Socialists and Democrats strongly support the efforts made by the governments of North Macedonia and Albania on the path towards accession to the European Union. This is why the leader of the Socialists and Democrats will be holding high-level meetings in Skopje next Tuesday, and in Tirana on Wednesday.

In North Macedonia, Iratxe García will meet with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski and leading members of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM). In Albania, she will meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama, and she will address the Socialist Group in the Albanian Parliament.

Iratxe García said:

“The opening of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania last summer was a major breakthrough, not only for these two countries, but for the entire region. It took too long for the EU to decide, and it must now move faster.

The war in Ukraine cannot make us overlook enlargement to the Western Balkans. On the contrary, it must strengthen the EU commitment.

“The EU Western Balkans Summit in early December will be an opportunity to bring new impetus to the process. Let’s not forget that the prospect of accession is a powerful magnet for peace, stability and resilient democratic institutions. Enlargement is the EU’s most effective foreign policy tool and a driving force for a peaceful and prosperous European continent.

“The yearly progress reports just published by the European Commission contain two success stories: North Macedonia and Albania. Next week, I will personally show my recognition to the work and determination of the people in these two countries and to their governments. They have shown the way forward for the whole region. But I also want to hear from them, about their concerns and their needs. The reforms must continue as they also face the economic and social consequences of the Russian war against Ukraine. So we want to make sure that we stand in solidarity with them every step of the way.”