The EU-European Union has begun negotiations with two countries on the Balkan Peninsula, Albania and North Macedonia, for accession.
There is growing concern within the EU that Russia's influence will grow in the Balkans as well, but it may take several years for both countries to meet EU standards and become members.
On the 19th, the EU began negotiations with two countries on the Balkan Peninsula, Albania and North Macedonia, for accession.
President Von der Leyen praised the efforts of the Prime Ministers of both countries, saying, "It's a historic moment. The people of both countries have made great efforts to reach this point."
North Macedonia applied for EU membership in 2004 and Albania in 2009, and the member countries once agreed to start negotiations.
After that, the neighboring Bulgaria opposed the accession of North Macedonia because of the treatment of Bulgarian residents, but this month, North Macedonia accepted an arbitration proposal to solve the problem, and negotiations started. Did.
Regarding the EU, Ukraine, which is undergoing a military invasion by Russia, and neighboring Moldova last month acknowledged the position of "candidate countries" that are a prerequisite for the start of accession negotiations.
Within the EU, there is growing concern that Russia will become more influential on the Balkan Peninsula, but Albania and North Macedonia need to meet EU standards in many areas, including politics, economy and justice, and both countries are members. It can take several years.