Author of the article:
Published Sep 27, 2024 • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Article content
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Hungary’s right-wing prime minister on Friday accused European Union officials of denting North Macedonia’s “national pride” by further delaying the country’s troubled bid to join the bloc.
During a visit to North Macedonia, Viktor Orban also offered to mediate with EU member Bulgaria, whose dispute with Skopje over Balkan history and heritage triggered the new delay.
“We are here to offer the best solutions,” he said, during a news conference with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in the lakeside resort of Ohrid.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Orban’s comments followed reports that EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on Wednesday decided to push ahead with neighboring Albania’s EU accession process, independently of North Macedonia’s. Up to now, the two had been moving together. Any such decision would require approval at a higher EU level.
Orban, a populist who has governed EU member Hungary since 2010, said it would be “a big mistake” to separate the two bids.
“What is being served (by EU) is a blow to the national pride of North Macedonia,” Orban said.
The EU started membership talks with the Albania and North Macedonia in 2022 as the war in Ukraine forced a rethink of the bloc’s enlargement process.
But the dispute with Bulgaria delayed North Macedonia’s bid. To break the impasse, the previous center-left government in Skopje agreed to insert in North Macedonia’s constitution a reference to a Bulgarian ethnic minority.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
However, it lacked the parliamentary majority to do that, and Mickoski’s new conservative government says it will only amend the constitution if Bulgaria first approves North Macedonia’s EU membership.
Mickoski has accused the EU of trying to “dictate” what his country should do.
“We must not lose hope,” he said Friday. “I regret that this is happening and that we will be once again a victim of bilateral issues.”
The Hungarian leader, with a dozen Cabinet ministers, started a two-day visit to North Macedonia on Thursday. Talks included economic cooperation and illegal migration.
At Friday’s news conference, Orban also restated his endorsement of Donald Trump for the U.S. presidency.
“If we have a strong president in the United States then we will have peace, if we have a weak president then we will have war,” he said.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66f7fc05b895466f95b3a4529bfc3ea1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwinnipegsun.com%2Fpmn%2Fhungarys-orban-says-eu-hits-north-macedonias-national-pride-by-delaying-accession-bid&c=1055936211185740023&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-09-27 07:36:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
