After the start of the membership talks, analysts have assessed the possibility of their completion for Albania and North Macedonia. “Albania and North Macedonia can see themselves within 2030 as part of the European family”. Richard Kremer, well acquainted with the developments in the Western Balkans from the US-Europe Alliance organization in Washington in the interview for the Voice of America in the Macedonian language, assessed as realistic this assessment of some analysts for the conclusion of the membership talks for the two countries that just held the first intergovernmental conferences.

In the American view, while expressing satisfaction that Albania is a package with North Macedonia that has been a candidate for the EU since 17 years ago, Kramer’s assessment is that both countries are oriented towards Western democracies, not authoritarian regimes.

In this context of the orientation of the two countries, according to him, the predictions of some analysts are feasible, that by 2030 North Macedonia and Albania will become part of the European family.

At the same time, the American analyst also warns that the region is vulnerable to the spread of Russian propaganda only if citizens believe in various disinformation, unverified and dubious sources of information.

“As long as the US continues to help the countries of the Western Balkans to become consolidated democracies in a free and open market , it will help them get integrated more easily into the EU,” he assures.

But while in Albania, the holding of the First Intergovernmental Conference reduced public attention to the process, in North Macedonia the discussions now focus on the decisions that will be taken to affect the preamble of the Constitution when, in addition to the Bulgarian minority, other parts of the population consisting of citizens of North Macedonia such as Albanians, Serbs. etc.

The country’s highest authorities have continued to publicly assure that the started process is irreversible and that it depends on the country to quickly move forward and achieve EU membership.

/Klara Ruci/