Stevo Pendarovski, the President of North Macedonia, told the French ambassador to Skopje Christian Thimonier he expected Paris’ support in deciding on the date for the kick off of the country’s accession talks with the European Union, the Beta news agency reported on Thursday.

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.