The Netherlands Undecided on Supporting Albania’s Launching of Accession Talks with EU

Speaking from Shkodra, northern Albania, while visiting the city to see an exhibition focussing on human trafficking, Ambassador Guusje Korthals Altes said her country is still studying the progress report of the European Commission for Albania.
The Netherlands has previously been cautious about giving Albania the green light for the first intergovernmental conference which is pending along with that of North Macedonia.
The comments of Ambassador Altes on Friday were made after the European Commission backpedaled and claimed that bringing the controversial “anti-defamation package” in line with Venice Commission requirements is not a condition for the formal opening of talks. They also claimed that the Venice didn’t say any changes were necessary.
This confused the public as European Parliament rapporteur for Albania Isabel Santos previously said the media law condition was fulfilled as the government had withdrawn the draft for parliament, despite this not being the case.
In any case the most stumbling obstacle remains the stance of Bulgaria towards Skopje as it insists on its veto to give the green light to its neighboring country on historical grounds despite efforts made by some EU countries on Sofia’s diplomacy. / argumentum. al