Albania and North Macedonia were scheduled to enter talks to join the European Union in June but European Affairs ministers from across the bloc unexpectedly halted the process. Brussels was set to discuss the terms of enlargement of the bloc to include the two European states over the next five years but Mr Bushati cited "hostility" toward the project as a driving cause for the delay. Speaking to Euronews, the Albanian politician said: "I would like to express my disappointment towards member states because it’s clear they did not stick to the conclusions of June 2018.
"It is clear the position of a few member states is getting colder, if not hostile for internal reasons in relation to the enlargement process."
The European Commission had advised member states to open talks with Tirana and Skopje but while EU ministers took "good note" of their guidance, the member states decided to "revert to the issue with a view to reaching a clear and substantive decision as soon as possible and no later than October".
Despite the disappointment, Mr Bushati insisted the Albanian Government will continue to carry out reforms to meet the accession requirements Brussels has established.
He continued: "We will not lose patience, and we will be focusing much more efforts in areas related to the rule of law, organised crime, the continuation of judicial reform.
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EU news: Bushati expressed his "frustration" at the decision to postpone talks (Image:
