Von der Leyen to visit North Macedonia amid EU accession deadlock

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Skopje, North Macedonia, on Friday as part of her tour of the Western Balkan countries.

According to her office, von der Leyen will meet with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, CE Report quotes MIA.

The talks will focus on the country’s and the region’s European perspective and the EU accession process. The issue with Bulgaria and possibilities for overcoming it are also expected to be discussed.

Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said ahead of von der Leyen’s visit that Macedonia wants to find a solution with Bulgaria that would ensure predictability in the EU integration process. He said there is a willingness among European institutions and some EU member states to help strengthen mutual engagement and create space for discussion, but stressed that Macedonia’s position is absolutely clear: at this point, there are no conditions for constitutional amendments due to Bulgaria’s position.

Although there have been bilateral contacts with Sofia, they have so far failed to produce progress and, according to Mucunski, assistance is therefore needed from the interested party, namely the EU. He said he therefore views European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Skopje positively, noting that the issue will also be discussed in greater detail. He said there is no doubt that we need a solution, but we have one red line — the solution must provide us with predictability and certainty.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will begin her tour of the Western Balkans on September 30 with a visit to Albania, followed by visits to Kosovo and Montenegro.

This time, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be on her agenda. European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta said the two countries were left out because they are preparing for elections. Serbia will hold snap parliamentary elections on October 25, while general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina are scheduled for October 4.

Photo: Instagram/ursulavonderleyen