Prime Ministers of both North Macedonia and Albania have agreed to boost their cooperation, as both Balkan neighbours work towards their goal of one day joining the European Union.
Dimitar Kovachevski and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama pledged to cooperate on their EU bids during a meeting in North Macedonia’s capital of Skopje and also addressed the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the Albanian Prime Minister’s visit, the two countries signed cooperation deals on energy and infrastructure projects.
“North Macedonia and Albania are a real example of how good neighbourly relations are built,” Kovachevski said.
“This cooperation is of great importance, especially during the global economic and energy crisis, with serious challenges in providing electricity and food.”
With the expectation that the process would take years, the two neighbours began membership discussions with the EU in July.
North Macedonia’s bid to join the EU has been held up by disputes with its neighbouring EU members Greece and Bulgaria, which have the power to block EU expansion as it requires unanimous approval by all member states.
After resolving a long-standing dispute with Greece, a new one with Bulgaria arose.
This comes as in recent years Greece and North Macedonia have pledged to also enhance economic cooperation.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also called for the EU to commit to the accession prospects of Western Balkan nations.
Source: Ekathimerini
