Skopje, 8 April 2024 (MIA) - The criteria for North Macedonia’s EU membership are very clear. I do not anticipate any change in the Negotiating Framework and I don’t think the member states would want to revisit any of the conditions, Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, told Bulgarian media BGNES.

Asked about the claims of some Macedonian politicians that the Negotiating Framework could be changed and whether there is a possibility that the conditions for North Macedonia’s accession could be changed, Várhelyi said the criteria are very clear.

“I think that the criteria are very clear since 2022, when the Negotiating Framework was adopted. In the Negotiating Framework, there are criteria that must be met, so I do not anticipate any change. I don’t think that the member states would want to revisit any of the conditions. So, it is clear what would need to be met,” Várhelyi said.

The Commissioner voiced hope that immediately after the elections, the new government in North Macedonia will quickly pick up work and move on with the delivery of criteria.

Asked about Serbia, Várhelyi said its criteria are very clear as well.

“Good neighborly relations are part and parcel for the EU path for each and every single candidate country. It is also clear that Serbia is making progress on its EU path. If you look at Cluster 3, it is ready for opening. It is also very clear that CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) alignment with the Russian aggression against Ukraine became an even more important topic for the member states. So, now the member states are looking at the level of compliance even closer,” Várhelyi said.

Photo: MIA Archive