Tag: leyen
World 10.05.22 | 11:46

EU and Hungary make progress in talks on Russian oil sanctions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she made progress while discussing the issue of Russian oil sanctions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest. Hungary resists imposing full oil sanctions on Russia citing the damage its economy will suffer, especially at a time...

Macedonia 08.04.22 | 09:55

Petkov ignored Von der Leyen’s comment about minority rights

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov faced an embarrassing moment when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, during their joint press conference, that minority rights are one of the fundamental European values. She also reminded that a decision to open EU accession talks with Macedonia...

Macedonia 05.10.21 | 18:10

Biden urged Von der Leyen to speed up the EU integration of the Balkan countries

US President Joe Biden raised the issue of the Balkans and their stalled EU integrations in a phone conversation he had with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders also discussed the Western Balkans and President Biden conveyed strong support for continuing the accession...

Macedonia 30.09.21 | 19:28

Jadranka Kosor condemns the denial of EU perspective for Macedonia and other Balkan countries

Former Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor criticized the lack of concrete EU perspective offered during the latest visit by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Nice words that mean nothing. No word about the Dodik secession and non-recognition of the genocide verdict. No...

Macedonia 28.09.21 | 21:54

Awkward: Von der Leyen told Zaev how much she loves the Neo-Classical style of the Government building

An awkward moment occurred during the welcoming ceremony for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Skopje. While exchanging pleasantries with Zoran Zaev, Von der Leyen remarked that “it’s a beautiful house you have“, referring to the Government building. Zaev responded...

News 28.09.21 | 18:00

False bomb threat made ahead of Von der Leyen’s visit

A false bomb threat was phoned in against the Macedonian Government this morning, ahead of the visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Interior Ministry informed that the person who made the phone call was located and detained. His threat was that an explosive device will be...

World 07.07.21 | 18:29

Von der Leyen threatens Hungary over its sexual education law

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded that Hungary amends its recent law allowing parents to have their children opt-out from sexual education that includes far left materials. According to Von der Leyen, Hungary would face legal action if it doesn’t comply. It is a disgrace...

Macedonia 05.07.21 | 22:32

Von der Leyen calls for faster EU integration of the Balkans

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for faster integration of the Balkan countries into the EU. We need to speed up the enlargement process. And in parallel, bring the Western Balkans on our path to becoming more sustainable, digital and resilient, Von der Leyen said during the...

Macedonia 11.03.21 | 15:37

Macedonia snubbed in the latest EU coronavirus aid package

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a package of over half a billion EUR in support to a number of EU member and candidate countries. Macedonia is apparently left out from the package. Von der Leyen tweeted out the list of countries using their flag emojis. From the candidate...

Macedonia 16.02.20 | 21:49

Von der Leyen hopes to see EU accession talks begin, but the coupling of Macedonia with Albania can turn out to be a problem again

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the she hopes Macedonia and Albania can open EU accession talks even before the Zageb summit. Meanwhile, the Dutch Ambassador to Macedonia Dirk-Jan Kop warned that the issue is not settled yet, as some countries may insist that Macedonia remains...

Macedonia 05.02.20 | 12:08

EU presents its new enlargement methodology

The European Commission is presenting its new methodology for enlargement, which was prepared after France blocked the opening of accession talks with Macedonia and Albania in October. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the new methodology is “credible and dynamic” and will...

Macedonia 17.10.19 | 17:12

Von der Leyen regrets French decision to block Macedonia and Albania from opening EU accession talks

Speaking wih Politico, the next President of the European Commission Ursla von der Leyen said that she regrets the fact that there will likely not be a decision to open EU accession talks with Macedonia and Albania. I deeply regret it because I believe these countries have made enormous efforts to get...

Balkans 10.09.19 | 20:02

Von der Leyen says she wants to see the Balkan countries as close to the EU as possible

The newly appointed President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that she wants to maintain good relations with the Balkan countries in her five year term. I wish for the Western Balkans to be as close to EU as possible, Von der Leyen said, adding that the rules for joining the EU remain...

World 02.08.19 | 22:56

Visegrad countries expect to see better days in Brussels

Daniel Deak, analyst for the 21st Century Institute, told Hungarian public service television that Hungary and the Visegrad countries can expect a dramatic change in Brussels politics, as Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s Brussels meeting had positive...

World 01.08.19 | 21:11

Orban on Von der Leyen: We share same thoughts on several issues

It was a good call to keep the “ideological guerrillas away” and elect leaders with pragmatic instincts, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Hungary’s state broadcaster after meeting Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday. On the new EC president, Orban said “we made...

Macedonia 16.07.19 | 16:27

Von der Leyen makes no mention of Macedonia, or EU enlargement, in her speech before the European Parliament

Ursula von der Leyen, who has been nominated to be the next President of the European Commission, made no mention of Macedonia or EU enlargement in her remarks before the European Parliament today. It was widely reported that the PES social-democratic group in the Parliament demands commitment from Von...