Tirana, 14 September 2021 (MIA) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Albania and North Macedonia have met the criteria for European Union membership. “Both Albania and North Macedonia have met the criteria for the start of the accession negotiations. Unfortunately, this did not happen because of the Bulgarian veto but we have promised to stay close to this process, because a lot of energy has been invested in it,” Chancellor Merkel told a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. On the other hand, PM Rama said both countries are hostages of nationalism within the EU. “We are hostages of the nationalism in the EU. There are no nationalist governments in the Union but nationalists and the far-right in certain countries are unfortunately affecting the decision-making of moderate governments. What we are seeing today is that the integration process is held hostage by a nationalist wave in one country,” said Rama. Merkel admitted that the stagnation in Albania’s EU integration is owed to the domestic policy of certain Union members, Ora News reports. She understands the disappointment of regional countries, noting that the promise must be kept since the criteria have been met, without giving additional conditions because of domestic political developments in some countries. “This results in disappointment and I understand the frustration. The promise must be kept once the criteria are met, and we should know how to trust one another,” said Merkel. Chancellor Merkel is meeting Western Balkans leaders, including Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, during her visit to Tirana.