Brussels could potentially press ahead with talks with Albania over membership of the EU even as negotiations with North Macedonia stall, according to Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
North Macedonia and Albania’s bids for EU membership have always been coupled together, with both nations preparing for negotiations to begin on parallel tracks. But with North Macedonia’s bid currently blocked by Bulgaria, Várhelyi suggested that this situation could be amended.
“If we run into difficulties again with North Macedonia, which means that we are unsuccessful [in] convincing Bulgarian and North-Macedonia [of] a mutually agreeable solution, then the question [is] whether we can move forward with Albania only. And we will have to consider that question,” he said.
Asked if a formal “decoupling” was an option, he replied: “It might be an option, yes.”
- Albania is no closer to joining the EU. Its leaders might prefer it that way
- Brussels plans fresh drive to start Albania’s EU membership talks
- How EU enlargement apathy could push Kosovo and Albania to join forces
Albania and North Macedonia had been scheduled to begin talks on EU membership until the process was blocked in 2019 by France and the Netherlands, which have both been hostile to admitting new members from the Western Balkans.
Brussels
But Cuffnews revealed earlier this month that Brussels was planning a new push for Albania to join the bloc, with Ditmir Bushati, Albania’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, saying that a schedule could be discussed at an inter-governmental conference in June.
Opinions within Albania on joining the EU are almost unanimous, with a recent poll by the European Commission finding 97% of Albanians in favour. At the country’s recent election, none of the parties opposed EU membership, only criticising their rivals over delays to the process.
Várhelyi may also bolster hopes of an end to stalling membership bids elsewhere in the Western Balkans, with Montenegro and Serbia both keen to advance the process of joining the bloc.