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Old December 12th, 2013 #33
Johan
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Serbia, Albania and FYR Macedonia are hoping to receive EU approval to start formal talks shortly

12.12.2013

Serbia, Albania and (FYR) Macedonia are hoping in the coming eight days to receive the approval of European Union member states for the start of formal talks on membership of the EU.
(FYR) Macedonia's hopes of a green light to accession talks at the European Council next Thursday and Friday (19-20 December) are, however, certain to be dashed once again by opposition from Greece, as the latest efforts to resolve the problem at the root of Greece's opposition have foundered. Greece wants (FYR) Macedonia to change its name, arguing that it implies a territorial claim to its province of the same name. Macedonia has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005.
Backing for Serbia's bid appears assured, as EU leaders stated clearly in June that they see the start of membership talks as an essential means of consolidating a breakthrough achieved in April, when Serbia and Kosovo reached a broad agreement on autonomy for Kosovo's Serbs. Belgrade will nonetheless feel some disappointment, as it had hoped to start formal talks with the EU before next week's summit. The launch of negotiations, which requires an inter-governmental conference, has been conditional on Serbia and Kosovo settling many details not addressed in April's agreement. The main obstacle now, though, is seen as Germany's parliamentary procedures, rather than at the political level. Germany has repeatedly indicated since June that January was the more realistic start date.

http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php...enumber=186067

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