Brussels expects a decision to be scheduled at the June summit to schedule intergovernmental conferences with northern Macedonia and Albania, which will kick off EU membership talks with the two countries, senior EU officials said.

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Relations Bulgaria - RS Macedonia 366

EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday, and the six foreign ministers of the Western Balkans will take part in the meeting.

Talks between the top diplomats from Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia are expected to take place within the council.

IMRO with a protest "Do not betray Macedonia" in front of the Council of Ministers

Brussels expects Sofia and Skopje to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

The faster, the better, high-ranking European officials commented.

They believe that against the background of Russian aggression in Ukraine, it is very important for the EU to fulfill its promises to the countries of the Western Balkans and start membership talks with Skopje and Tirana as soon as possible.

On Monday, foreign ministers from the EU and the Western Balkans will discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine on the region, BNT reported.

EU foreign ministers are also expected to discuss a sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a phased ban on Russian oil imports by the end of the year, with the exception of some countries.

EU countries are still unable to reach an agreement on the oil embargo.

Bulgaria also demanded a longer period before the introduction of the ban on Russian oil and petroleum products.

Currently, the EC is negotiating mostly with Hungary, which has the most claims to the package.

The EU will reach an agreement on sanctions and remain united, senior EU officials say.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will also take part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.

Relations Bulgaria - RS Macedonia

Albania

Macedonia's EU membership