News: European Parliament urges European Council to start accession negotiations with North Macedonia

The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee approved, by 66 votes to 4, the report on the progress made by North Macedonia in 2021 in the context of strengthening "the rule of law, judicial independence, minority rights, media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime". The Commission also urged the European Council to officially open accession negotiations and encouraged Bulgaria and North Macedonia to find a rapid solution to the outstanding issues in order not to delay accession any further.