The First Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union, Albania and North Macedonia may be held in December 2020.

German Foreign Minister Michael Roth, in a press conference after the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, stated on Tuesday:

"During the Croatian presidency we have given clear signals for the integration of Albania and North Macedonia and we are working intensively to hold an Intergovernmental Conference in December."

The German Minister stressed the importance of integrating the Western Balkans into the EU:

"The Western Balkans is not an additional garden, but our front garden and it would be in the interest of all member states."

The First Intergovernmental Conference marks the beginning in practice of the Albania-EU negotiations.

If the conference is to be held in December, Albania must have made concrete progress in the 15 conditions that the European Parliament has included in the resolution for the opening of negotiations with Albania.