Hungary’s Prime Minister spoke of a “historic mistake” by the EU, Viktor Orbán, invited to comment on Brussels’ decision to shut down the accession process from Albania to the EU from North Macedonia.
“This is not fair on our part (EU ss). To be fair, North Macedonia should have been a member of the EU a long time ago. The Union’s decisions are traumatic and create wounds. That is why it is a big mistake that it is not yet a member of the EU and an even bigger mistake that they are disconnecting it from another country (including Albania), which is highly favored” added the Hungarian Prime Minister, after the meeting had today in the city of Ohrid, in North Macedonia, with the latter’s prime minister, Christian Mickoski.
According to Viktor Orbán, the countries of the Western Balkans deserve much more than what they receive from Brussels.
It should be noted that, according to information, the ambassadors of the EU Member States decided, on Wednesday, to disconnect Albania’s European path from that of North Macedonia, with the former starting negotiations on accession to the EU on October 15th. , with the opening of the first accession funds with the EU.
Victim of Bulgaria’s veto
The accession process of Albania and North Macedonia has been intertwined until now. However, Bulgaria’s “veto” of North Macedonia delayed progress for both countries.
North Macedonia’s troubled relations with Bulgaria have worsened especially with the seizure of power in Skopje by the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE last June. The two countries have historical, ethnic and linguistic differences that have lasted decades.
North Macedonia’s European trajectory remains stagnant, mainly because Skopje has not fulfilled the obligations it undertook – based on a proposal presented by the EU two years ago. The proposal envisages amending the Constitution of North Macedonia in order to include the Bulgarian minority in it. living in the country, which the new North Macedonian government strongly opposes.
Furthermore, Viktor Orbán offered today, like Hungary, which holds the EU presidency for the current six months, to mediate between North Macedonia and Bulgaria to overcome the conflict between them.
At today’s meeting between the Prime Ministers of North Macedonia and Hungary it was discussed and immigration, with Viktor Orbán stating that North Macedonia is a very important country for Hungary as it is in the middle of the Balkan migration corridor and can contribute to dealing with them.
“Hungary has always supported us”
The Prime Minister of North Macedonia highlighted, for his part, that today’s visit by the Prime Minister of Hungary is proof of the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and confirms their strategic alliance.
“Hungary has always supported us, both in difficult times and in our efforts towards European integration. Today, through concrete initiatives and agreements, this friendship continues to strengthen, creating a solid foundation for our future cooperation”, added Christian Mickoski.
“Hungary is not just our partner on the European stage. It is also an example of how a state can strike a balance between national sovereignty and global integration.. “Hungary has always been a strong supporter of EU enlargement and our ambitions for full membership,” added the Prime Minister of North Macedonia.
Agreement to grant a loan of 500 million euros
It should be noted that with the seizure of power in North Macedonia by the VMRO-DPMNE led by Christian Mickoski, relations between the two countries are developing rapidly. In the near future, it is expected that an agreement will be signed to grant a loan of 500 million euros from Hungary to North Macedonia, and negotiations are also underway for the entry into the North Macedonia mobile telephone market of the second largest telecommunications group from the country of Hungary, “4iG”.
Today was the 18th meeting between Viktor Orban and Christian Mickoski.
End, the Prime Minister of Hungary reiterated today, in view of the presidential elections in the USA, his support for Donald Trump, noting that his eventual victory in the US elections will contribute to the establishment of peace throughout the world.