Skopje, 15 October 2024 (MIA) — The Macedonian government has congratulated Albania on its start of accession negotiations with the EU, while also expressing regret about the state of our country, government spokeswoman Marija Miteva told a press conference Tuesday.

In response to reporters' questions, Miteva said the government would continue presenting its positions in an effort to unblock the country's EU integration process.

"As a government, we welcome Albania's start of negotiations and extend our congratulations, but also express great regret about the state of our country.

"Yesterday, the prime minister gave a detailed explanation of the situation discussed as part of the Berlin Process. He said we have strong support from Germany for continuing our European integration. We presented our positions on the blockade we are facing and as a government we will continue to talk about it, present our views and unblock the process Macedonia is in," Miteva told reporters.

The second EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference was held Tuesday, formally kicking off the country's accession negotiations.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Tuesday in Luxemburg that blocking North Macedonia had caused great damage to the country, the people, and the region.

According to Rama, a bilateralization of a country's path to the EU was painful because when the process was bilateralized, it only harmed that country, he said. mr/