Brussels, May 10 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The
European Commission encourages Bulgaria and the Republic of
North Macedonia to resolve their outstanding issues so that
North Macedonia can start EU accession negotiations, a
Commission spokesman said on Monday, taking journalists'
questions about North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev
current visit to Brussels.

The spokesman said that Zaev and European Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen discussed a range of matters, including the
 possibility for the EU to finance the building of
infrastructure in the Republic of North Macedonia. Von der Leyen
 reiterated her support for starting EU accession talks with
Skopje. She encouraged the authorities in North Macedonia to
press ahead on the path of reforms.

European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver
Varhelyi told Zaev that the Council of the European Union needs
to achieve consensus on the negotiating framework in order to
give the green light to the negotiations. According to Varhelyi,
 if Sofia and Skopje fail to reach agreement, the Council of the
 European Union should make a decision.

The European Commission finds that Albania and the Republic of
North Macedonia meet the requirements for starting negotiations.
 The Commission would like to see the talks begin as soon as
possible, the spokesman said. He explained that it is up to the
Presidency of the Council of the European Union to decide to
convene an intergovernmental conference on the start of
negotiations, which requires consensus on the negotiating
framework. RI/VE