TIRANA, June 28/ ATA /- Progressive governments in Albania and FYR Macedonia made it possible for the two countries to achieve a 2019 start date for EU accession negotiations.
The path to EU membership for both countries is high on the agenda at the pre-summit meeting of Party of European Socialists prime ministers today, attended by FYR Macedonia prime minister Zoran Zaev as well as Alexis Tsipras of Greece.
It follows the agreement by EU ministers earlier this week that negotiations should begin next year.
The PES has been a long-time champion of EU membership for the region, including hosting a programme of events and meetings in the Western Balkans in recent years to support their developing European orientation.
Chairing the meeting, PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“It is clear that the heroic efforts of governments in both Tirana and Skopje to prepare their countries for EU accession negotiations are finally bearing fruit. It will benefit not only the security and stability of the region, but also the whole of Europe, for both countries to take their rightful place at the EU table.” //a.i/
