N. Macedonia deserves green light for start of EU accession talks

North Macedonia deserves the expected green light for opening accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) in October considering all its accomplishments in the last few years, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn said here on Thursday.

Hahn, who is paying an official visit in the capital city Skopje, spoke at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev following their meeting.

According to Hahn, North Macedonia deserves a green light for opening accession negotiations in October for everything it has accomplished in the last years in the implementation of reforms, the Prespa Agreement and the bilateral agreement with Bulgaria.

Hahn said that joining EU is a national goal for North Macedonia and everyone in the country has to understand and work for it. He urged all political actors in the country to take into account the future and the interests of the citizens and the state.

"It is my hope that all will support the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to achieve what so many of us want to see, and that is a green light for the start of accession talks," said the commissioner.

However, Hahn said the Euro-Atlantic integration process for North Macedonia does not end there.

"It is necessary for the country to continue the reforms, especially in the area of securing the rule of law through the adoption of the Law on the Public Prosecutor's Office and the uncompromising fight against corruption and crime," he added.

According to Hahn, North Macedonia has achieved success and delivered everything it was asked to accomplish.

However, the EU official emphasized that the "rule of law is indispensable for creating confidence in the institutions, but also for ensuring that the country will be stable, both politically and economically."

For his part, Zaev reiterated his belief that in October, after 15 years, North Macedonia will receive the long-awaited date for the start of the negotiations with the EU.

"In the meantime, we will continue working on the reforms, so as not to give the EU an alibi for a different kind of decision," Zaev said.