Bulgaria’s parliament voted on Friday to lift a veto that has long blocked talks between North Macedonia and Albania on European Union membership.
The move raises new hopes that the bloc can continue with its plans of enlargement with the Western Balkans. Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi commented on Bulgaria ‘s decision to approve Macron’ s proposal to lift the veto on North Macedonia.

“We welcome the inter-party decision of the Bulgarian parliament which gives a clear mandate for the approval of the French proposal.

Now we need the EU decision to hold the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia and Albania. Europe is moving forward! ” – said Varhelyi.

/Klara Ruci/