BLED – North Macedonia expects to get a date for the start of EU accession talks in October and is worried the Balkans region would be discouraged about reform if discussions do not begin, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov in Bled yesterday.
In remarks to Reuters, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov added that a start to accession talks would help persuade young people not to emigrate and seek a “European style of life” elsewhere.
Commenting on the change of his country’s name, he stated that “all big issues are resolved” and that this opportunity has to be seized.
“It would send a message to other leaders in the Balkans that it is not really worth investing political capital in making difficult decisions, reforming,” Dimitrov said on the sidelines of Bled Strategic Forum.
He also said Macedonia expected to become a member of NATO in December or early next year after NATO members signed an accord on its accession in February, adding that foreign direct investment has increased in North Macedonia since the accession process began.