Skopje/Prishtina (APA) – Austrian Minister for Europe Claudia Plakolm conducted a working meeting in Skopje with North Macedonia’s Minister for Europe Orhan Murtezani and Slovenian State Secretary for Europe Neva Grašič. Plakolm’s spokesperson informed APA on Monday that “Austria will advocate for a qualified majority in the accession process.” Plakolm remarked, “For over 20 years, we have been holding on to the promise that North Macedonia will join the EU.”
The ÖVP politician emphasized the close economic and cultural ties between Austria and North Macedonia, noting that over 27,000 North Macedonians have settled in Austria, making it the largest investor in North Macedonia. “One only has to look at the map to see the significant piece missing in the center of Europe (in the European Union), which includes the countries of the Western Balkans,” she stated.
Next Stop: Kosovo
Following her meeting with Murtezani, Plakolm planned a one-on-one discussion with Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski. The Skopje visit will end with a visit to the energy provider EVN Makedonija (part of the Austrian EVN Group), attended by the host country’s energy minister, Sanja Bozhinovska. Afterward, they will drive to Kosovo’s capital, Prishtina, accompanied by the Slovenian State Secretary for Europe. Their agenda includes a working meeting with Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi.
Plakolm will also attend an initiative by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in Lipjan, supporting disadvantaged youth. This will be followed by a discussion with the head of the EU rule of law mission EULEX, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, and a meeting with President Vjosa Osmani. Additionally, she will engage with representatives of Austrian businesses and civil society. After a brief stop in Vienna, she will continue her journey on Tuesday to Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, marking the third country in her six-nation tour over six days.
Discrepancies Between Government and Public Opinion
Plakolm’s trip echoes that of former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), who visited all EU candidate nations in the Western Balkans within six days in early 2016 as Foreign Minister. A decade later, these countries are still awaiting EU membership, though Montenegro and Albania may hope for full membership by 2030. For the other four countries, this remains a distant goal for various reasons.
The Austrian government strongly supports the quick EU integration of Western Balkan states, yet it faces challenges convincing the domestic population, which is generally more skeptical about EU enlargement compared to other European nations. (6.10.2025)
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