Romania’s EU presidency ‘to back’ Macedonia accession talks

The European Union presidency has said it will back Macedonia to open accession talks after it reached a deal to change its name. Romanian European Affairs Minister George Ciamba said on Monday he wanted negotiations to start for Macedonia in June at a meeting of EU ministers. Romania, which currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, also supports Albania opening accession talks. Ciamba said Romania wants the EU’s enlargement process to continue, based on merits and reforms carried out by would-be members. Macedonia and Albania are official candidates for joining the 28-member bloc but don’t have a date. Ciamba made the statement after meeting Bujar Osmani, Macedonia’s vice prime minister in charge of European affairs, in Bucharest, AP reports.