TIRANA, Nov 14 /ATA/ – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes bilateralism in the European Union accession process. Scholz met with the Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Berlin on Tuesday.
Answering to reports’ question about a recent spat between Greece and Albania at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis after their meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced rejection against reciprocity in the EU enlargement process.
The center-left Social Democrat Chancellor underlined that Berlin supports the EU accession process as it wants the candidate countries to join the bloc as soon as possible.
Scholz said it is crucial to bring the Western Balkan countries closer after they were promised to join the EU in the Thessaloniki Summit 20 years ago.
The European Commission has recommended launching the initial phase of the accession chapters with Albania until end of 2023. These chapters are the most important ones encompass judicial authority and fundamental rights; the judiciary, freedom, and security; public procurement; statistics; and financial control.
For the accession negotiations to start the unanimous support of the 27 European Union member states is required.
On November 11, Greece opted not to sign a joint letter from the 27 EU member states urging the start of negotiations for the first five accession chapters with Albania.
Greece’s objections centre around the ongoing case concerningof the Himara Mayor elect Fredi Beleri, 52, who was arrested ahead of the May 14 local elections after being accused of buying votes. The detention of the ethnic Greek mayor has sparked criticism from Athens.
/DW/u.sh/
