Both Albania and Macedonia have implemented tough, substantial reforms, and both deserve to move forward on their path to EU accession, the US Department of State told VOA.

It is crucial for the European Union to abide by its commitments, which means opening accession talks with both Macedonia and Albania without delay, a State Department spokesperson told VOA when asked if the United States supported the decoupling of Albania and Macedonia on the EU path, after the announcements of the Bulgarian Government that it is ready to give the green light for Albania, but not for Macedonia.