EU decision to open accession talks with North Nacedonia acknowledgement of country's efforts: PM

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski said on Tuesday that the European Union decision to open accession negotiations with his country is an acknowledgement of the country's efforts and an end to a 15-year wait.

Speaking at a press conference, attended by Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs Bujar Osmani and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov, Spasovski said that the EU decision to open accession talks with North Macedonia is an acknowledgement of the country's efforts, commitment and political will to implement the reforms.

"It is our victory. We're becoming a country which is negotiating for EU membership and will have to undergo a process of transformation in the coming period, as have all member states," Spasovski said.

The EU's General Affairs Council gave a green light to the opening of EU membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in a video conference on Tuesday.

In October last year, the bid by North Macedonia and Albania to open EU accession negotiations was blocked due mainly to France's opposition, when Paris justified its decision with the need for the EU to develop a new accession methodology.