Hahn says that Albania lacks only two "YES" for the negotiations

The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, says that Albania and North Macedonia have met the conditions from the Commission and the Council for opening negotiations with the EU.

In a conference from Luxembourg, Hahn did not hide his fear of a negative response, stating that so far 27 of the 25 countries in the Union have secured YES for the negotiations.

"We should not be surprised if other powers within Europe will become more powerful than the EU. Both countries have fulfilled the conditions set by the Commission and the Council. I am confident that the decision will be positive, most countries have not preferred to separate Albania from North Macedonia. 25 member countries out of 27 are in favor of opening negotiations with Albania", said Hahn, reports "Oranews".

While the Finnish Minister for European Affairs, Tytti Tuppurainen, said that it is the first time that the decision on Albania and North Macedonia will be discussed at its highest level.

"We have not made a decision today, the issue of the integration of the two countries will be discussed together. We did our best to reach an agreement for the start of accession talks," she said.

On the other hand, Hahn recalled that the final decision of the member countries also contains political elements, and he said we should not forget this.

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"Several member countries have internal problems and it is not easy for them to make decisions related to the further expansion of the EU", said Hahn.

The statements came after the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Union.

The meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg precedes the one that the heads of state hold on October 17 and 18 in Brussels, where the future of the 2 countries of the Western Balkans will be finally decided.