Skopje, 6 October 2025 (MIA) - Austrian Minister of Europe, Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, and Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Neva Grašič said Monday they fully back dialogue between Skopje and Sofia, which the Macedonian Government has been saying would take place after the elections, i.e. in 2026.

At a joint press conference in Skopje with Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani, Plakolm and Grašič said they are firm supporters of dialogue when quizzed by journalists over the announced talks, as well as if their countries would try to persuade Sofia to talk. 

“Of course, we support dialogue, Austria supports the accession process, and we will back everything that is needed for tangible results in the negotiations,” Plakolm stressed.

The Austrian Minister said Austria believes bilateral issues should be discussed and resolved bilaterally, while on the issue of enlargement the member states should speak with one voice.

“That’s why we believe that qualified majority will help with this,” Plakolm added.

Slovenian Minister Grašič said the bilateralization of the enlargement process is concerning.

She underscored the process mustn’t be blocked by bilateral issues, because the EU too needs its member states as well as the candidates due to the changed geopolitical situation and security.

“We welcome and support any framework, any dialogue that pushes North Macedonia and Bulgaria forward,” Grašič said, expressing satisfaction that both the EU Council and President António Costa, as well as the European Commission, had shown readiness for dialogue.

MIA file photo