DUI party leader Ali Ahmeti expects that both Macedonia and Albania will begin their EU accession talks in October. Ahmeti said this following his meeting met with Dirk Jan Kop, the new Ambassador from the Netherlands – which along with France is the most reluctant toward further EU expansion.

Ahmeti said that he expects that Macedonia and Albania, with the Dutch support, will be allowed to open EU accession talks. This will contribute to the deeper reforming of our countries, in accordance with EU expectations, and will stabilize our region, Ahmeti’s office said following the meeting.

Dutch politicians are adamant that Albania is not ready to open the EU accession talks and their Parliament even voted against the proposal. Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok proposed decoupling the two countries, so the Netherlands would not be seen as blocking Macedonia as well, but such calls have prompted threats of a nationalist outburst from Albania.