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WORLD NEWS Saturday 19 OctOber 2019
EU fails to launch membership talks with Balkans hopefuls

By LORNE COOK Rama regretted the dead-
Associated Press lock. He said it "is linked
BRUSSELS (AP) — European with an open confrontation
Union leaders failed Friday within the EU itself," on its
to agree on launching enlargement process and
membership negotiations internal debate.
with Albania and North "The process of European
Macedonia in an embar- integration will continue.
rassing climb-down that Not because Paris, Berlin,
could risk inflaming the vol- Brussels or all of them are
atile Balkans region. asking for it, but because it
The two countries had ex- is needed to turn our coun-
pected to receive a green try into a European, func-
light to begin negotiations tional one," Rama said on a
on joining the European talk show late Thursday af-
club, a process which ter returning from Brussels.
could take several years. In a televised address,
The European Commission, North Macedonia's presi-
which supervises entry talks, dent Stevo Pendarovski
insists that both have met all urged the nation not to be
the criteria for admittance. "disappointed."
EU leaders had promised a "This is not a time for disap-
final decision by the end of pointment and apathy,
October. European Union leaders attend a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. but time for national unity.
For now, a decision is un- 17, 2019. I'm convinced that if we
likely until May 2020 at the Associated Press are working together, we
earliest. Donald Tusk, who chaired "I told my colleagues that countries lost him support, will succeed," Pendarovs-
French President Emman- the meeting. "Both coun- this was an appointment tweeted that the failure "is ki said. EU foreign policy
uel Macron won't allow tries, they passed their ex- with history. In 1400 those a message of weakness chief Federica Mogherini
any new countries into ams. I can't say this about territories fell under the Ot- and defeat for the Europe- warned in May that any
the 28-nation bloc until its our member states," he toman Empire. After World an project." failure to recognize the ef-
enlargement procedures said. The non-decision, he War II they fell under the The constant expansion forts of the two countries
have been improved, while added, was "a mistake." communist bloc. It is their of the EU over the years "undermines stability and
the Netherlands opposes As Britain prepares to leave aspiration to join Europe," has complicated deci- seriously discourages fur-
Albania's candidacy and the EU, its 27 partners have Conte told reporters. sion-making in the world's ther reforms."
disputes the commission's been at pains to show their "I hope that the despair biggest trade bloc, and Her warning came just af-
assessment. unity. However, decision- doesn't lead to the deep- "enlargement fatigue," as ter Serbia put its troops
"The overwhelming majority making on important issues est distress." some have termed it, has on full alert when heav-
wanted to open accession can be held hostage by just And former Greek prime set in. Turkey's membership ily armed Kosovo police
talks with North Macedo- a few member countries. minister Alexis Tsipras, talks, for example, are virtu- fired tear gas and arrested
nia and Albania. However, Italian Premier Giuseppe whose decision to sup- ally frozen. about two dozen people in
such a decision requires Conte said the failure to port North Macedonia's The EU has always said that Serb-dominated northern
unanimity and there was open the EU enlargement change of name in an ef- membership is based on a Kosovo in what they called
no unanimity yesterday," process "will be remem- fort to set aside years of candidate's merits. an anti-organized crime
said EU Council President bered as an historic error." tension between the two Albanian Prime Minister Edi operation.q

Yes or No? Vital vote on Brexit plan set for Saturday in UK

By GREGORY KATZ also has to approve the Parliament has passed
Associated Press deal, but it unlikely to be a law to avoid this situa-
LONDON (AP) — Britain's voted down there. tion by requiring Johnson
Parliament is set to vote If Britain does leave under to write a letter to the EU
Saturday on Prime Minister the terms of a deal, there by Saturday night formally
Boris Johnson's new deal would be an extended requesting an extension
with the European Union, "transition period" that to the deadline. Johnson
a decisive moment in the would last at least until the has said he will not do so,
prolonged bid to end the end of 2020, so no imme- but government lawyers
Brexit stalemate. Various diate change in policies have told a court he plans
scenarios may be put in would be seen. to comply with the law. His
motion by the vote. IF THE DEAL IS DEFEATED precise course cannot be
IF THE DEAL IS APPROVED IN Undated handout photo issued on Friday Oct. 18, 2019 by the A "no" vote would mean easily predicted.
PARLIAMENT group Led By Donkeys of an anti-Brexit protest message which Britain is scheduled to If Johnson chooses to defy
A "yes" vote would mark has been ploughed in 40 metre high letters in a field at Manor leave the EU on Oct. 31 but the law requiring him to
Farm, Water Eaton, Wiltshire, England.
the first time Parliament has Associated Press still has no plan in place seek an extension, he will
agreed to terms of a di- — the so-called "no-deal" face an immediate court
vorce deal and would be a It would have to be fol- deadline. If this proves im- scenario that government challenge in Scotland — in
substantial political victory lowed by an intense push in possible, a "technical" ex- papers suggest would trig- a case already underway
for Johnson, who helped Parliament to pass the nec- tension would be expected ger economic contraction, — and perhaps in other ju-
lead the pro-Brexit forces essary implementation law to give Britain time to enact long delays at ports and risdictions that would likely
during the 2016 referen- in time for Britain to formally the legislation. possible shortages of food end up quickly in Britain's
dum. leave the EU on the Oct. 31 The European Parliament and medicine. Supreme Court.q