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The enlargement process was not considered a priority of its EU presidency, but it seems that the Czech Republic, which took over the presidency of the bloc’s Council today, has revised its priorities.
Diplomats in Brussels confirm that it will continue to follow closely during these 6 months a series of issues that had the attention of the French presidency, which are related to the war in Ukraine and the security of energy supply. But it will not leave aside the Western Balkans either.
It seems that the Russian aggression in Ukraine has given more weight to the expansion of the European Union, and this also applies to its relations with the countries of the region. According to the sources in question, the Czech Republic hopes that during its presidency there will be concrete progress regarding the Western Balkans – to start EU membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, as well as to complete the visa liberalization process for Kosovo.
According to diplomatic sources, the highest levels are working for the first intergovernmental conference, which would symbolically open membership negotiations for Skopje and Tirana, to take place before the summer holidays – that is, in the first month of the Czech presidency.
As for the liberalization of visas with Kosovo, the Czech Republic seems ready to put this decision on the agenda, as soon as it is proven that there is readiness from the member countries for the abolition of visas. Usually, the countries that take the EU presidency prepare their priorities several years in advance, but changing circumstances cause priorities to change as well.
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