Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Tourism Development Fund launches "Tourism Empowerment" programs to enhance sustainable growth of SMEs    Saudi crown prince, Tunisian president review bilateral relations in phone call    SFDA Chief visits premier biotechnology and medical firms in China    Al-Khereiji: Collective action in combating terrorism is a must for achieving stability and prosperity    Saudi Awwal Bank becomes the Kingdom's first bank obtaining ISO certification for quality management system in operations    Spanish flood rescuers focus search on underground car parks    10 cooperation agreements signed during Saudi-Turkish Business Forum in Istanbul    Saudi Arabia's non-oil revenues grow 6% in 9 months while Q3 budget posts SR30 billion deficit    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Domestic violence should not be taboo subject, says Queen Camilla    Slavery reparations not about transfer of cash, says UK's Lammy    Pro-EU leader claims Moldova victory despite alleged Russian meddling    Enhancing zakat, tax, and customs compliance takes center stage at the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Conference 2024    Neymar expected to join Al Hilal squad for AFC clash against Esteghlal, says coach Jesus    Al Qadsiah secure 2-0 victory over Al Ettifaq in first Eastern Derby since 2021    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Scholz calls for EU accession talks but fails to shift Bulgaria's objections
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 12 - 06 - 2022

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.
He called for the EU to start membership talks, but seemed to achieve little progress in Sofia where the Bulgarian government reiterated its objection to North Macedonia's accession.
Scholz said that "the Western Balkans are of strategic importance" for Germany and that his country is "serious" in supporting European integration of the region.
"North Macedonia and Albania deserve to start the membership talks," Scholz said at joint news conference with North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in the capital, Skopje.
Kovachevski said that his country's dream of joining the European Union was being held "hostage" by neighboring Bulgaria.
"One EU member state (...) is holding two candidate countries, North Macedonia and Albania, hostage on the road to European integration," he told journalists.
These words were a clear reference to Bulgaria, which has been blocking the opening of EU accession negotiations with Skopje since November 2020 because of disputes over language and history.
Bulgaria insists North Macedonia must formally recognize that its language has Bulgarian roots, to mention a Bulgarian minority in its constitution and to stamp out allegedly anti-Bulgarian rhetoric.
North Macedonia says its identity and language aren't open for discussion and that the solution must be based on European values.
Kovachevski said that North Macedonia has fulfilled all criteria to start membership talks with the EU, based on a "merit system," and again called on EU leaders to give the green light for opening talks at the forthcoming EU summit on June 23.
The German Chancellor then traveled to Sofia where he met his Bulgarian counterpart, Kiril Petkov.
Bulgaria refuses to approve the EU's membership negotiation framework for North Macedonia, effectively blocking the official start of accession talks with its smaller Balkan neighbor.
Petkov explained that Bulgaria would look into how the EU accession process could be used to improve the status of the Bulgarian minority in Northern Macedonia.
Scholz expressed confidence that progress could be made, adding that "the many objections that have built up between the two sides over the years had to be overcome".
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was ready to welcome the Bulgarian and North Macedonian authorities to Paris "when the time is right" to conclude a bilateral agreement that would allow the opening of negotiations for Skopje's accession to the EU.
France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU until July 1, has been supporting "for several weeks" the search for a solution to the dispute between the two countries, the Elysée said after talks with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Dimitar Kovachevski.
Five countries are currently official candidates for EU membership: Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Turkey. — Euronews


Clic here to read the story from its source.