North Macedonia calls snap election after EU talks setback

cde.news desk 20 October 2019, 05:49 · 1 min read

epa07933144 Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev addresses a press conference to announce early Parliamentary election, in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia, 19 October 2018. Zaev called for early parliamentary elections a day after EU leaders delayed the decision for accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania for the third time as they gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit dominated by Brexit talks. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has called snap elections following a decision by EU leaders to postpone opening membership talks with his country and neighbouring Albania.

French President Emanuel Macron blocked the bid at an EU summit in Brussels.

“We are the victims of the EU’s historical mistake,” said Zaev.

In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed internal EU issues, saying his country had delivered on the conditions set for talks to start.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – and other European leaders – have used the same phrase to voice criticism of the summit outcome.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said: “It’s not a failure, it’s a mistake. I feel really embarrassed.”

The Commission and the European Parliament had recommended starting talks with both countries.

Via BBC

Filed under North Macedonia

Topics enlargement European Union North Macedonia Zoran Zaev

North Macedonia calls snap election after EU talks setback

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