Council of the European Union Rue de la Loi 175

B-1048 Brussels
Subject: Setting a date for the start of accession negotiations with Alba-
nia and North Macedonia
Your Excellency,
Following the October summit of the Council of the European Union and
the decision not to grant a starting date for accession negotiations for Al-
bania and North Macedonia, the European Commission has presented a
new revised Enlargement strategy.
Another unfavorable decision by the EU could jeopardize and reverse the
progress already achieved, resulting in a weakening of pro-European
movements in countries. All Western Balkan countries impatiently expect
the upcoming decision, upon which the stability of the whole region de-
pends. This will be seen as a way forward, and it will send a truthful mes-
sage of the EU's commitment to the region. It will also mean that the EU
delivers on its promises after the European Parliament and the European
Commission have recently assessed that the countries are ready to start ne-
gotiations.
Both countries have shown dedication for reforms and progress, and have
delivered on the demands made from the EU side. Even though the will-
ingness to join the EU remains high among the citizens of the two coun-
tries, after the non-decision, it dropped by 15% in North Macedonia, ac-
cording to official statistics available.
We are hereby asking to set a specific date for opening accession negotia-
tions and granting the chance to these countries to start negotiations after
keeping them in uncertainty for years. It is of utmost importance, as in do-
ing so will grant new energy for reforms and progress in the region, while
the European Union regains credibility in the region.
Yours Sincerely,
Irena Joveva
Klemen Grošelj
Biljana Borzan
Lukas Mandl
Ramona Strugariu
Tanja Fajon
Katalin Cseh
Franc Bogovič
Andreas Schieder
Petar Vitanov
Milan Brglez
Damian Boeselager
Victor Negrescu

Sophie In’t Veld

Andrius Kubilus
Valter Flego
Adrian Vazquez Lazara
Marek Belka
David Lega
Petra Kammerevert
Vladimir Bilčik
Andor Deli
Evin Incir
Željana Zovko
Robert Hajsel
Ilhan Kyuchyuk
Kinga Gal
Michal Šimečka
Marion Walsmann
Vlad Marius Botos
Eugen Tomac
Urmas Paet
Karin Karslbro
Martin Hojsik
Viola von Cramon
Predrag Fred Matić
Eniko Gyori
Traian Basescu
Arba Kokalari
Eva Maydell
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski
Thomas Waitz
Bronis Rope
Jaroslaw Duda
Romana Jerković
Gheorghe Falca
Tomislav Sokol
Andrzej Witold Halicki
Radan Kanev
Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz
Attila Ara -Kovacs
Brando Benifei
Bobert Biedron
Christian Sagartz
Isabel Santos
Maria Grapini
Emil Radev
Danuta Maria Huebner
Andrey Kovatchev
Marina Kaljurand
Dita Charanzova
Jerzy Buzek
Tineke Strik
Rasa Jukneviciene
Paulo Rangel
Clotilde Armand
Dimitros Papadimoulis
Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Svenja Ilona Hahn
Alexander Yordanov
Chiara Giuli
Asim Ademov