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EU fails to agree on talks with Albania, N. Macedonia

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European Commissioner designate for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn answers questions during his hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

BRUSSELS – European Union ministers have failed to reach a consensus on whether to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia amid stiff opposition from France.

Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said the meeting EU ministers held on Tuesday “was not a moment of glory for Europe” and he apologized to the citizens of the two Balkan countries.

Hahn says “the overwhelming majority” of EU member nations supported the European Commission’s recommendation to start talks with both North Macedonia and Albania.

He didn’t name the countries that opposed the move. EU leaders will now take up the issue at a two-day summit in Brussels this week.

French President Emmanuel Macron is insisting that the EU needs to be reformed before it allows more countries to join.

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Abbey Westbury

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