Skopje seeks Paris support in setting date for EU accession talks

According to a statement from Pendarovski’s office, the President said he hoped the European Council would follow the European Commission (EC) recommendations and decide on the start of the negotiations on the EU membership.

“North Macedonia looks at France as an honest friend and ally in reaching its strategic goals,” Pendarovski said.

In its Wednesday’s report, on the Western Balkans’ countries improvement toward joining the bloc, the EC recommended to the Union to start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.

France insists on the EU internal reforms before an eventual enlargement and was against the suggestion for setting the date for talks with North Macedonia and Albania last year, despite the EC recommendation at the time.