Zsolt Németh, the head of the Hungarian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, on Monday called on the European Union to start a „meaningful” enlargement process in respect of North Macedonia’s accession negotiations. Speaking on the first day of the summer session of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Németh said in a speech held on behalf of the Council’s conservative group that North Macedonia’s elections had been deemed „free and fair by all analysts, and there can be no legal obstacle to victory of right-wing forces.” Németh added that he hoped that the „bilateral problems regarding the accession, especially in relation with Bulgaria”, would be soon resolved.
Regarding the EP elections earlier this month, Németh said cooperation between the EU and the CoE was key for Europe’s future. They must cooperate closely to ensure that fundamental human rights, the rights of ethnic minorities, democracy and the rule of law thrive, he said. PACE is scheduled to elect the next Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, as the five-year term of Marija Pejčinović Burić has expired, he said. The three candidates, Didier Reynders of Belgium, Indrek Saar of Estonia and Alain Berset of Switzerland were „seasoned” politicians, he said, adding that the next Secretary General would be able to face the challenges posed by wars, conflicts and „changes in the European political landscape”.