The Council adopted conclusions on the EU’s enlargement policy and the stabilisation and association process.
The conclusions reaffirm the EU’s commitment to the enlargement process and to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
The Council agreed to respond positively to the progress made by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania, and set out the path towards opening accession negotiations with both countries in June 2019.
“This is an important day for Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and for the Western Balkans as a whole. Member states have sent a clear signal that efforts to reform and foster reconciliation, good neighbourly relations and political dialogue to solve longstanding issues pay off. These are of direct benefit to the countries themselves, and of wider value in bringing them closer to the EU. This is a major achievement as we come to the end of our Presidency, since the European perspective of the Western Balkans has been a top priority for us”, said Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgarian deputy prime minister for judicial reform and minister for foreign affairs
Read the Council conclusions on enlargement and stabilization and association process here
