Olivér Várhelyi, Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner stated that North Macedonia must reach agreement with Bulgaria if it wants to start accession negotiations with the EU. He intimated further that unless agreement between Skopje and Sofia is reached North Macedonia and Albania may be separated in their negotiations with the EU.

Olivér Várhelyi stated further that he had had an important discussion with PM Zoran Zaev and that the two had agreed that progress must be made by the two countries. In his words the EC is working towards a return to a normal life so that the first intergovernmental conference can be held with the two countries, BGNES reports.