BRUSSELS – President of the European Parliament David Sassoli will travel to North Macedonia on next Monday and Tuesday, November 4-5. A trip to Tirana, Albania is scheduled for December 2-3.
Ahead of the visit to Skopje, which will be his first external visit, President Sassoli stated that visiting North Macedonia, and very soon after Albania, is of highest importance to me personally at this moment.
“We know that the population in both countries has been deeply disappointed by the Council`s failure to agree on the opening of accession talks due to the veto of a few member states. We understand and share this disappointment”, stated Sassoli.
He called on the citizens and especially on the young generation not to give up hope and to remain on the European track.
“The European Parliament stands with you”, Sassoli said.
He reminded that the European Parliament has reiterated its full support for the opening of membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania one week ago.
“We will not remain silent but urge EU states to take a decision unanimously in favour of accession talks at the next meeting”, EP President added.
During his visit in Skopje, President Sassoli will meet the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev, as well as President Stevo Pendarovski. He will also hold talks with the leaders of parliamentary political parties, the President of the Assembly of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, and address the Parliament. At the start of his visit, he will open the Europe House at the Delegation of the EU to the Republic of North Macedonia and join a discussion with the students.