German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday she would push for a start to European Union accession talks for Albania and North Macedonia.

"Above all, we want to reach an agreement at the next European Council in March to start accession negotiations with Albania, and also with North Macedonia," she told reporters in Berlin at a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

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"Both countries have achieved a lot," she added. "We will now work hard to achieve the desired results in March."

Merkel said that the Balkan nations joining the EU would be beneficial both for them and for the bloc, mentioning the geopolitical advantages of the countries joining.

Concerns over corruption

A devastating earthquake in Albania in November saw the EU offer solidarity and financial aid to the small country.

North Macedonia was known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until 2019. Both have been considered candidates for EU membership since 2005. 

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Bribery and corruption allegations have so far hampered the chances of either country entering the bloc. Merkel pointed out that Albania was in the process of a major reform of its justice system.

Nevertheless, several prominent EU figures, like French President Emmanuel Macron, have opposed their joining.

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ed/rt (dpa, AFP, Reuters)