Germany urges Bulgaria to lift veto on N.Macedonia EU entry talks

By Sarah Marsh and Tsvetelia Tsolova

SOFIA/SKOPJE -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday known as on Bulgaria to elevate its veto on EU accession talks for North Macedonia, saying the bloc ought to keep away from dashing the membership hopes of nations in Western Balkans.

Scholz, visiting Sofia as a part of a two-day tour of the area forward of an EU-Western Balkans leaders’ summit on June 23, stated he sensed a “new willingness” by the EU to broaden after Russia’s invasion to Ukraine.

The warfare has lent new urgency to the method of making an attempt to tie the Western Balkans nearer to the 27-member bloc in a bid to counter Russian and Chinese language affect. The German chancellor has made the matter a overseas coverage precedence, and normal himself as a mediator throughout his journey.

“I see probabilities for progress,” Scholz stated in a information convention with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. “We'll keep in shut alternate in coming days.”

Petkov reiterated Bulgaria’s stance that North Macedonia should meet three circumstances associated to historic and cultural disputes between the 2 nations, urging Brussels to ensure they had been met.

The difficulty is delicate for Bulgaria’s home politics. This week, one in every of Petkov’s 4 coalition companions give up, accusing him of being able to elevate Bulgaria’s veto in disregard of nationwide pursuits, amongst different allegations.

Earlier on Saturday, Scholz visited North Macedonia, which has already carried out many reforms in its bid to develop into an EU member, akin to altering its identify to satisfy Greek objections.

Talking in Skopje alongside North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, Scholz stated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made it essential for Europe to face collectively.

On Friday, he visited Serbia and Kosovo, which declared independence from Belgrade in 2008. He urged the leaders to succeed in an settlement on normalising relations.

Shortly earlier than returning to Germany, Scholz stated the need amongst many EU members to get the Western Balkans into the EU was stronger than it had been “for a few years”.