Skopje, 20 October 2021 (MIA) – The European Commission reaffirmed that the Republic of North Macedonia had met criteria to start membership negotiations and stressed that the delay affects the EU’s credibility, EU Ambassador David Geer said Wednesday presenting the Commission’s progress report on North Macedonia. Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov at a news conference, Geer conveyed the EC’s conclusion that it is expected the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia, which will mark the start of negotiations, to be held before the end of the year. Efforts to settle the issue with Bulgaria need to be strengthened to that end, according to him. Geer also stressed that the bilateral agreements with Bulgaria and Greece need to continue to be implemented by all signatories. “The country has maintained a steady and determined pace in advancing EU reforms. Momentum must be maintained especially on rule of law, fight against corruption and public administration,” the EU diplomat said. When asked whether the EC has a plan if the EU doesn’t open negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, Geer said that the goal is to open negotiations as soon as possible with hopes it will happen in December, and the goal isn’t changed. He also refrained from speculating what might happen in a year of two. It is no rhetoric, he added, when we’re saying that reforms are in the interest of the citizens, they want to see rule of law is consolidated, corruption is reduced, they want clean air and prosperity. Geer reiterated that reforms noted in the 2021 progress report should be implemented in the context of EU integration and help the country introduce standards and practices the EU citizens expect of their governments. Echoing the same sentiment of Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi that the EU should enhance efforts to settle the issues as soon as possible so as to allow entry talks to truly begin, Ambassador Geer stressed that North Macedonia and Bulgaria too should strengthen existing contacts and bilateral relations. Presenting the Enlargement Package 2021, Varhelyi said the European Commission is committed to holding the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia and Albania by December, noting that he is against decoupling of the two countries on their road to EU accession.