Berlin, 9 May 2022 (MIA) – Berlin on Europe Day, May 9, extended a clear message that the European Union should open negotiations for membership with North Macedonia and Albania soon. The messages were conveyed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Lührmann. The EU, said Baerbock, should never again give empty promises and it is necessary the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania to be finally open. Also, according to her, Ukraine shouldn’t expect fast-tracked procedure to become a member of the bloc. Ukraine belongs in the European family, but we don’t know when it could be admitted and how it could be implemented because Ukraine at the moment is in the midst of a horrible war. Referring to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, German Minister Lührmann said the EU must make a significant progress by opening accession negotiations with both Albania and North Macedonia as soon as possible. “For me, it is clear that we have to stand by our promises. And there are very clear rules in the accession process. So, if reforms are made, then these countries will come one step closer to the EU,” she told Euractiv in an interview. As regards the multi-speed Europe concept, Lührmann said there is a way for the countries that have done their homework to integrate quickly. “However, because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, now is not the time to make such a fundamental decision.” Right now, in this current all-encompassing crisis, she stressed, the focus of the federal government is to first keep everyone together and be as united as possible, especially on the big issues. Before the Western Balkan countries join the EU, the German Minister said, the bloc has to start pursuing institutional reforms. “We, the EU, have to do our homework and to prepare our institutions to function as a Union with 33+ members,” Lührmann.