The Dutch government already supports Albania and Northern Macedonia's bids for EU membership, although in 2019, along with France and Denmark, it blocked the start of negotiations with the two Balkan countries.

The government and the coalition parties in the House of Representatives are now pushing for the two countries, which are hoping for the start of membership negotiations, to join the EU, writes the Dutch "NL Times".

The start of negotiations with Skopje blocks Bulgaria's veto on the language and history dispute, while Tirana's progress on the road to the EU is linked to the progress of Northern Macedonia.

In May, the European Parliament asked the European Council for Albania and northern Macedonia to start the negotiation process, noting "the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and Russian aggression against Ukraine".

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is now pushing for Albania and Northern Macedonia to start the negotiation process, De Telegraph reported.

In 2018, Rutte said that Albania and Northern Macedonia would "weaken the entire Union", pointing to corruption and lack of media freedom.

A year later, the Netherlands, along with France and Denmark, blocked the start of EU membership talks for both countries.