Bulgaria’s no-confidence vote could hamper EU expansion
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgaria’s no-confidence vote could hamper EU expansion

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Lawmakers in Bulgaria on Wednesday approved a no-confidence motion against the country’s minority coalition government that could topple the centrist prime minister and further stall efforts by Balkan countries to join the European Union. The Bulgarian government has insisted North Macedonia formally recognizes that its language has Bulgarian roots, acknowledges in its constitution a Bulgarian minority, and quashes “hate speech” against Bulgaria. He said the French government has “activated and reactivated talks” with both North Macedonia and Bulgaria, as well as other EU members. Daniel Smilov, a political science professor at the University of Sofia, said that Petkov, Bulgaria’s prime minister, has been a “driving force” in pushing for a resolution to the dispute with North Macedonia and that a collapse of his government could blunt that effort. “It’s quite unfortunate for the North Macedonia situation because simply we don’t have a stable majority now in parliament to give the green light to an agreement,” he said.

Ukraine Russia French North European North Macedonia Bulgarian Sofia Western Balkans Macedonia Petkov Member Bulgaria  eu  french  european  noconfidence  western  vote  minister  bulgarias  member  bulgaria  hamper  expansion  north  countries  macedonia

History of this topic

Italy says Russia or China could gain influence in Western Balkans if EU dream fails
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Italy says Russia or China could gain influence in Western Balkans if EU dream fails

The Independent  

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Bulgarian president declines government proposal to lead delegation to NATO summit
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bulgarian president declines government proposal to lead delegation to NATO summit

Associated Press  

Bulgaria — Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has turned down a government proposal to lead the country’s delegation to NATO’s July summit in Washington, D.C., saying he was not consulted while it worked out the official position of the country and its commitments regarding the war in Ukraine, his press office said Thursday. The decision comes on the heels of heated …

North Macedonia’s parliament approves a new center-right government after May’s election
6 months ago

North Macedonia’s parliament approves a new center-right government after May’s election

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia’s center-right leader secured parliamentary approval to lead a new coalition government in a vote late Sunday. However, VMRO-DPMNE’s questioning of key agreements with neighboring Bulgaria and Greece — both which can block North Macedonia’s accession — could put the brakes on the EU project, said political analyst Petar Arsovski. North Macedonia’s new President Gordana …

North Macedonia’s new president seeks to sidestep disputes with EU neighbors
7 months, 1 week ago

North Macedonia’s new president seeks to sidestep disputes with EU neighbors

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Union candidate North Macedonia sought Monday to calm disputes with EU neighbors Greece and Bulgaria that flared up following the landslide election victory of a conservative-backed coalition and president. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the remarks “illegal and unacceptable,” in an online post Monday, adding: “We declare categorically that we will not accept any …

North Macedonia holds presidential and parliamentary elections Wednesday
7 months, 2 weeks ago

North Macedonia holds presidential and parliamentary elections Wednesday

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Voters in Northern Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country’s aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. The month-long campaign has focused on fighting corruption, improving the slugging economy and alleviating poverty, but the main hot-button issue …

North Macedonia votes in presidential polls as EU membership bid looms
8 months ago

North Macedonia votes in presidential polls as EU membership bid looms

Al Jazeera  

The vote is the first in a series of polls that could decide whether the diverse Balkan country will ever join the EU. Voting is under way in North Macedonia to elect a president ahead of an upcoming parliamentary election as the Balkan country continues to ponder its European Union membership bid. The 61-year-old incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski is a …

NATO member N Macedonia to briefly lift flight ban in case Russia’s Lavrov wants to attend meeting
1 year, 1 month ago

NATO member N Macedonia to briefly lift flight ban in case Russia’s Lavrov wants to attend meeting

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — NATO member North Macedonia said Friday it would briefly lift a ban on flights from Russia next week, which would enable Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to attend an international conference in the country should he accept the invitation. It was not clear whether Lavrov would even accept the invitation which North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar …

EU chief says investment plan for Western Balkan candidate members will require reforms
1 year, 1 month ago

EU chief says investment plan for Western Balkan candidate members will require reforms

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — The European Commission’s top official said Monday that a decade-long investment package for Western Balkan countries seeking to join the bloc could vastly improve the region’s economy but is conditioned on required reforms. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed details of the 6 billion euro package during a visit to North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, …

Kosovo-Serbia tension threatens the Balkan path to EU integration, Germany’s foreign minister warns
1 year, 2 months ago

Kosovo-Serbia tension threatens the Balkan path to EU integration, Germany’s foreign minister warns

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Germany’s foreign minister on Friday expressed the European Union’s deep concerns following the recent shootout between masked Serb gunmen and Kosovo police that left four people dead and sent tensions soaring in the region. Annalena Baerbock was in Tirana, Albania at a foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the Oct. 16 summit on the Berlin Process, an initiative …

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line
1 year, 3 months ago

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Faced with the Russian aggression against Ukraine and fears of Moscow’s increasing influence in parts of the Balkans, the European Union should make a “bold move” and accept new members by 2030, the European Council president said Monday. Speaking at an international strategic forum at the Slovenian lakeside resort of Bled attended by Western Balkan leaders, Charles …

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line
1 year, 3 months ago

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Faced with the Russian aggression …

The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg tell Kosovo and Serbia to normalize ties for EU hopes
1 year, 5 months ago

The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg tell Kosovo and Serbia to normalize ties for EU hopes

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Tuesday said that normalizing ties between Kosovo and Serbia would serve not only regional peace and stability but also their prospects of future integration into the European Union. Tensions between the two countries flared anew in May after Kosovo police seized local municipal buildings in Serb-majority northern Kosovo to …

Netherlands in talks that could lead to Bulgaria entering Schengen Area
1 year, 5 months ago

Netherlands in talks that could lead to Bulgaria entering Schengen Area

NL Times  

The Netherlands and Bulgaria are discussing an invitation from the latter to send Dutch experts to visit the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The new prime minister of the Balkan country, Nikolai Denkov, hopes to persuade the Netherlands to end its opposition to Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area, currently comprised of 27 European countries that no longer require passport checks or border …

US endorses EU plan to ease Serbia-Kosovo tensions
1 year, 9 months ago

US endorses EU plan to ease Serbia-Kosovo tensions

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — The U.S. has high expectations for a European Union- Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar told an online news conference that both countries, as well as Europe, would stand to benefit from the stability the plan would usher in. On Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave their tacit approval to …

Serbia, Kosovo leaders back EU plan, top diplomat says
1 year, 9 months ago

Serbia, Kosovo leaders back EU plan, top diplomat says

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo have given tacit approval to a European Union- Speaking alone at a news conference after a series of meetings in Brussels, Borrell told reporters that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti “have today agreed that no further discussions are needed for the European Union proposal.” Both countries want …

EU dampens Bulgaria’s hopes of joining eurozone before 2025
1 year, 10 months ago

EU dampens Bulgaria’s hopes of joining eurozone before 2025

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — A senior European Union official on Thursday dampened Bulgaria’s aspirations for a swift adoption of the euro currency as the Balkan country doesn’t meet all required entry criteria. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters before his meetings with Bulgarian officials that the country wouldn’t become a eurozone member before the beginning of 2025. Bulgaria, which …

Serbian president rejects calls for sanctions against Russia
1 year, 11 months ago

Serbian president rejects calls for sanctions against Russia

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s president said Wednesday that the European Union’s calls for his country to join sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine represent “a brutal” interference in the internal affairs of the Balkan state, which has asked to join the EU. Although formally seeking EU membership, Serbia has repeatedly ignored calls to align its foreign policies with …

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes
2 years ago

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes

Dutch News  

Austria said on Thursday it would veto EU members Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area, further escalating tensions after the Netherlands said it would reject Bulgaria’s accession. Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner said he would oppose Romanian and Bulgarian membership because, he said, ‘it is wrong that a system that does not work in many places should be …

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes
2 years ago

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes

Dutch News  

Austria said on Thursday it would veto EU members Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area, further escalating tensions after the Netherlands said it would reject Bulgaria’s accession. Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner said he would oppose Romanian and Bulgarian membership because, he said, ‘it is wrong that a system that does not work in many places should be …

EU, Western Balkans boost partnership amid Ukraine war
2 years ago

EU, Western Balkans boost partnership amid Ukraine war

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — For the six Western Balkans countries aspiring to join the European Union, gaining full membership in the 27-nation club remains a distant goal. The EU “reconfirmed its full and unequivocal commitment to the European Union membership perspective of the Western Balkans” and called for the acceleration of accession talks with the membership hopefuls. Rama thanked Michel and …

EU, Western Balkans leaders meet amid fears of Russian influence
2 years ago

EU, Western Balkans leaders meet amid fears of Russian influence

Al Jazeera  

EU aims to reassure six Balkan countries of a future in the bloc amid fears of rising Russian and Chinese influence. European Union and Western Balkans leaders have met in the Albanian capital Tirana for a summit meant to reassure the region of a future in the wealthy bloc amid fears of rising Russian and Chinese influence. Data roaming charges …

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania
2 years ago

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Romania and Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone at next week’s meeting in Brussels but will say no to Bulgaria, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting. Prime minister Mark Rutte told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the decision not to support Bulgaria’s membership of Schengen is based on fact, and is not a political …

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania
2 years ago

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Romania and Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone at next week’s meeting in Brussels but will say no to Bulgaria, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting. Prime minister Mark Rutte told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the decision not to support Bulgaria’s membership of Schengen is based on fact, and is not a political …

NATO seeks to ease war impact on Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova
2 years ago

NATO seeks to ease war impact on Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy NATO turned its attention on …

German president presses N Macedonia on EU-required reforms
2 years ago

German president presses N Macedonia on EU-required reforms

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has urged North Macedonia to acknowledge the presence of an ethnic Bulgarian minority in the country, amid other actions required to speed up its European Union accession process. North Macedonia’s accession bid is being held up by a dispute with neighboring EU member Bulgaria, which can block EU expansion — a process …

Bulgarian MEPs ask Dutch PM to stop "groundlessly blocking" its admission to Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs ask Dutch PM to stop "groundlessly blocking" its admission to Schengen

NL Times  

The Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament addressed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte asking the Dutch government to stop the “11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking” of Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. All Bulgarian MEPs appealed today to the Dutch government to take into account the assessment of the @EU_Commission & the resolutions of the @Europarl_EN …

North Macedonia’s EU path is under threat from an unlikely actor
2 years, 3 months ago

North Macedonia’s EU path is under threat from an unlikely actor

Al Jazeera  

Much of the Macedonian civil society has joined the right in rejecting a deal with Sofia and Brussels. Over the summer, a proposal by the European Union to resolve North Macedonia’s dispute with neighbouring Bulgaria, which had imposed a veto on its EU membership bid, caused much social upheaval in the Balkan country. This exposed the unsettling reality that the …

3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage
2 years, 3 months ago

3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Anticipating a tough winter in light of the war in Ukraine, three Balkan states agreed Friday to help each other with potential food or energy shortages and have urged the European Union to include the volatile region in its support plans. The leaders of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania held a summit in the Serbian capital Belgrade …

3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage
2 years, 3 months ago

3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anticipating a tough winter in …

Spain's PM offers support for North Macedonia's EU candidacy
2 years, 4 months ago

Spain's PM offers support for North Macedonia's EU candidacy

The Independent  

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EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia
2 years, 5 months ago

EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union started membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on Tuesday, a long-delayed step in the Balkan nations’ paths toward EU membership that gained momentum amid the war in Ukraine. The result of your hard work,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Rama and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski of North Macedonia,. It was only …

EU agrees to accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia
2 years, 5 months ago

EU agrees to accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia

Al Jazeera  

The development comes after North Macedonia resolved a long dispute with its EU neighbour Bulgaria. The European Union has agreed to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia after Skopje resolved a long dispute with its EU neighbour Bulgaria. The 27 member states have “just agreed to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia”, Czech Prime Minister Petr …

North Macedonia parliament OKs deal; EU talks start July 19
2 years, 5 months ago

North Macedonia parliament OKs deal; EU talks start July 19

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia has approved a French proposal that opens the way for negotiations to join the European Union and overcome Bulgarian objections. Under the proposal, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron last month, North Macedonia would commit to changing its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority, protect minority rights and banish hate speech, as Bulgaria, an …

North Macedonia votes to resolve dispute with Bulgaria
2 years, 5 months ago

North Macedonia votes to resolve dispute with Bulgaria

Al Jazeera  

Lawmakers pass a deal aimed at settling a dispute with Bulgaria, clearing the way to long-due EU membership talks. Lawmakers in North Macedonia have passed a French-brokered deal aimed at settling a dispute with Bulgaria, clearing the way to long-due European Union membership talks. Both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel took to …

Concessions to Bulgaria prompts violence in North Macedonia
2 years, 5 months ago

Concessions to Bulgaria prompts violence in North Macedonia

Al Jazeera  

Northern Macedonia’s concessions on ethnic rights as part of EU accession talks prompts violent protests in Skopje. At least 47 police officers have been injured in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje during protests against the government’s concessions on ethnic rights as part of EU accession talks, according to news agency Makfax that cited the police. EU member Bulgaria had …

EU urges N Macedonia to back proposed deal with Bulgaria
2 years, 5 months ago

EU urges N Macedonia to back proposed deal with Bulgaria

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Council President Charles Michel urged North Macedonia on Tuesday to back a French-proposed compromise on ending a dispute with neighboring Bulgaria that’s blocking the country’s long-delayed European Union accession bid. Violent protests erupted in North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, where demonstrators tried to storm government buildings, after French President Emmanuel Macron announced the proposal — which …

Macedonians protest French proposals over rift with Bulgaria
2 years, 5 months ago

Macedonians protest French proposals over rift with Bulgaria

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Tens of thousands massed outside government offices late Saturday to protest a French proposal for solving North Macedonia’s dispute with Bulgaria that is blocking the country’s membership talks with the European Union. North Macedonia’s government has said the proposal is a “solid base.” But the main opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party rejects the proposition, arguing it favors …

Bulgarian political crisis casts shadow over Balkans summit
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgarian political crisis casts shadow over Balkans summit

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Leaders from the Western Balkans expressed frustration Thursday that they are still waiting in the European Union’s wings even as candidacy bids by Ukraine and Moldova were swiftly embraced by EU leaders. Bulgaria’s parliament passed a no-confidence vote Wednesday in the coalition government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, putting up a new obstacle to the long-delayed start of …

Ukraine granted EU candidate status
2 years, 6 months ago

Ukraine granted EU candidate status

The Telegraph  

Albania’s progress towards membership has been blocked by EU member Bulgaria. Mr Rama said, “It is a disgrace that that one NATO country, Bulgaria, kidnaps two other NATO countries namely Albania and North Macedonia, in the midst of the hot war at the European backyards with 26 other countries sitting still, in a scary show of impotence," he said. Kosovan …

EXPLAINER: Western Balkans’ promised EU future still hazy
2 years, 6 months ago

EXPLAINER: Western Balkans’ promised EU future still hazy

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan countries that have long been knocking at the bloc’s doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears Russia could turn its sights on their region. The two-day summit starting Thursday in Brussels is expected to …

EU expansion drive in Balkans adds to Bulgarian PM’s woes
2 years, 6 months ago

EU expansion drive in Balkans adds to Bulgarian PM’s woes

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — After just seven months in office, and now reduced to heading a minority government, Bulgaria’s liberal Prime Minister Kiril Petkov finds himself between a rock and a hard place over European Union enlargement amid the war in Ukraine. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Friday urged the cabinet to disperse any suspicion that the country might take the …

Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”
2 years, 6 months ago

Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Council President Charles Michel visited North Macedonia on Thursday and said efforts to start European Union membership talks with the landlocked Balkan country and neighboring Albania have become a “top priority” since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine opened a new chapter in European history and put EU enlargement at the forefront,” Michel …

Netherlands now supports EU bids from Albania and N. Macedonia
2 years, 6 months ago

Netherlands now supports EU bids from Albania and N. Macedonia

NL Times  

The Netherlands has made an about-face when it comes to the accession of Albania and North Macedonia to the European Union. Although Prime Minister Mark Rutte vocally opposed the two countries joining the EU a few years ago, he now approves, De Telegraaf reports. The Cabinet and coalition parties in the Tweede Kamer are also favorable toward the two Balkan …

Germany’s Scholz tries to unblock North Macedonia’s EU bid
2 years, 6 months ago

Germany’s Scholz tries to unblock North Macedonia’s EU bid

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited North Macedonia and Bulgaria on Saturday in a bid to resolve the dispute between both countries that has seen European Union membership talks with both North Macedonia and Albania blocked. Bulgaria refuses to approve the EU’s membership negotiation framework for North Macedonia, effectively blocking the official start of accession talks with …

Scholz: Serbia, Kosovo must recognize each other to join EU
2 years, 6 months ago

Scholz: Serbia, Kosovo must recognize each other to join EU

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Serbia and Kosovo must recognize each other in order to join the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday said as he expressed support for quicker integration of the Western Balkans into the bloc amid the war in Ukraine. “It is our expectation that these sanctions must be supported by all those who are candidates for …

Weary waiting for EU, Balkan trio boost regional integration
2 years, 6 months ago

Weary waiting for EU, Balkan trio boost regional integration

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Frustrated by their countries’ sluggish progress toward joining the European Union, three Western Balkan leaders moved Wednesday to further boost regional economic and labor integration. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski of North Macedonia signed deals on tax administration, tourism and cultural cooperation, and on mutual recognition …

What lies in the way of North Macedonia’s EU membership?
2 years, 11 months ago

What lies in the way of North Macedonia’s EU membership?

Al Jazeera  

Bulgaria and Greece have blocked the way before, with frustration centred on historic and cultural disagreements. “All these years the focus was on the Greek issues,” said Cvetkovska, referring to separate historic disagreements with North Macedonia’s neighbour to the south. “Macedonian politics were relying on the international community to fix the Bulgarian problem.” Tangled history Under premier Nikola Gruevski, the …

Bulgarian PM visits North Macedonia to boost battered ties
2 years, 11 months ago

Bulgarian PM visits North Macedonia to boost battered ties

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — The new prime ministers of North Macedonia and Bulgaria agreed Tuesday to redouble efforts to improve relations between the Balkan neighbors, which soured after Bulgaria blocked North Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov’s visit to Skopje came only two days after North Macedonia’s parliament confirmed the country’s new cabinet, led …

Frustrated Balkans seek reassurance at EU summit
3 years, 2 months ago

Frustrated Balkans seek reassurance at EU summit

New Indian Express  

The 27-nation club is set to talk up economic support worth billions of euros for its eastern neighbours at a summit at Brdo Castle, in Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. "It's a good moment for us to be assertive, and make clear that the European Union continues to be the region's biggest donor," an EU official said. …

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