<\/p>\n
BRUSSELS (AP) \u2014 The European Union started membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on Tuesday, a long-delayed step in the Balkan nations\u2019 paths toward EU membership that gained momentum\u00a0amid the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Officially, the process kicked off with the presentation of the negotiating frameworks, which allow the bloc\u2019s head office to screen how prepared each country is to take on all the EU\u2019s laws, rules and regulations.<\/p>\n
The move comes at a crucial time for the EU, which in June made Ukraine and neighboring Moldova candidates for membership even though Western Balkan nations were kept waiting in line for a long time. North Macedonia and Albania became EU candidates 19 years ago, but their accession talks never commenced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not the beginning of the end, it is just the end of the beginning,\u201d Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said. \u201cWe need this to continue to build a strong, democratic, European Albania and a strong, democratic, Western and open Balkans.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, Albania and North Macedonia open accession negotiations with the EU. This historic moment is your success. The result of your hard work,\u201d European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Rama and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski of North Macedonia, .<\/p>\n
Especially for North Macedonia, the past years have been trying. Disputes with Greece and then Bulgaria prevented the country\u2019s bid from moving forward because any move by the EU to add new members requires unanimous agreement from existing ones.<\/p>\n
It was only last week that the North Macedonian parliament approved an agreement overcoming Bulgaria\u2019s objections and cleared the way for the negotiations to start, Bulgaria had held up any progress on the accession talks, accusing North Macedonia\u2019s government of disrespecting shared cultural, linguistic and historic ties.<\/p>\n
Kovacevski said he was particularly enthusiastic about promoting his country\u2019s language.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis opens doors for our Macedonian language to become one of the official languages of the European Union, something that I personally see as the greatest achievement, the greatest success,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Joe Biden hailed the launch of Albania and North Macedonia\u2019s accession talks and said Washington would \u201ccontinue to be a strong and reliable partner as those nations work to defend human rights, strengthen democratic reforms, and uphold the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a moment when Russia has shattered peace in Europe, it is more important than ever to support the aspiration for a Europe whole, free, and at peace,\u201d said Biden. \u201cA democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Balkans remains essential to this vision.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n