German MEP Adis Ahmetovic has stated that Albania and North Macedonia deserve the opening of negotiations for integration into the European Union. He declared that there is still room for optimism while adding that the EU should move towards the Western Balkans.

“First, to liberalize visas for Kosovo. We could help Montenegro close some chapters. Lastly, we could not take the next step towards EU membership for Albania and North Macedonia. Both countries deserve this step and for this reason I decided to travel to Albania to convince people about the idea of ​​the European Union.

 Albania is part of the EU and you deserve to be part of the EU. It was our mistake three weeks ago. However, there is room for optimism. You must continue to be optimistic. We must move in your direction because you have done so much. After this visit to Albania I will meet with some members of the North Macedonian government to promote solutions. We can start with technical elements for Albania and North Macedonia. This is a good sign and signal for other countries in the region as well. We need a strong Albania and a strong North Macedonia”, he declared, as he spoke against the separation of the two countries.

“Let’s not talk about the separation at this moment. North Macedonia and Albania walk together,” Ahmetovic said.

He also spoke about the Open Balkans initiative and its role in the face of the Berlin Process.

“Chancellor Sholcz has great interest in the Western Balkans. This year we will also have a conference on the Berlin Process. It is a message to the countries of the Western Balkans that Germany will continue to have coordination between the six countries.

The idea of ​​the Open Balkans is good, but at the top of the cooperation with six countries we have the Berlin process. It is good to talk about the Open Balkans. This year the chancellor will hold a meeting with all the leaders of the Western Balkans. The Open Balkans is only one element of the Berlin process,” he said.