France ratifies North Macedonia’s NATO Accession Protocol


France’s National Assembly ratified North Macedonia’s NATO Accession Protocol at a plenary session on Thursday. The bill to approve the ratification of North Macedonia’s NATO accession protocol, presented by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, was on top of the agenda at Thursday’s plenary session. Following a debate attended by representatives from all political […]

Thimonier: We are expecting reactions from both member states and Skopje on the newly submitted negotiation process methodology


France first expects non-paper reactions from member states, but will also pay close attention to the remarks from the Macedonian side as well, French Ambassador in Skopje, Christian Timonie, said today, answering a press question after meeting with Constitutional Court President Sali Murati. Ambassador Timonie said that the French non-paper, dedicated to the new methodology […]

General Affairs Council to discuss EU enlargement today


For the first time after France’s veto in October, foreign ministers of EU member states will revisit the topic of enlargement to the Western Balkans and accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. The General Affairs Council (GAC) is not to bring forward any conclusions today, but exchange of views among members states and an […]

The Government salutes the French ‘non-paper’


The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia finds the renewed approach in the EU enlargement process promoted by France, in which rule of law and fundamental rights remain an integral requirement while reversibility of the negotiating process a key aspect, worth saluting since “any idea that contributes to the faster start of North Macedonia’s […]

Pompeo and Le Drian support North Macedonia’s accession to the EU


United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian have expressed their support to North Macedonia’s EU accession. “Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Le Drian exchanged views on the importance of EU accession for North Macedonia and Albania, on support for Ukraine, and on holding Iran accountable for its ongoing […]

Pendarovski and Macron meet in Paris


After meeting his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday in Paris, North Macedonia’s President Pendarovski said that ‘open and dynamic’ talks took place, but Paris hasn’t yet provided any guarantees about a date for opening of EU negotiations. Macron is asking for more time for the EU to reform itself within. President Pendarovski presented his […]

Thaçi-Macron meeting: Kosovo is ready for a Peace Agreement


The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, had a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, with whom he discussed about the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as about the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Kosovo and the Western Balkans region. President Thaçi stated that Kosovo is willing […]

Pendarovski to meet Macron today


North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski who is paying a two-day visit to Paris, attended Monday evening a dinner for the heads of state and government organised by the French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of 2019 Paris Peace Forum. Today, the president will attend Paris Peace Forum and will deliver an address on regional security, his […]

Falconi: Palmer’s statement of ‘EU’s historic mistake’ is wrong


French Ambassador to Serbia Jean-Louis Falconi said his country had “no reserves” regarding the EU accession of Western Balkan countries, adding that certain criteria must be fulfilled. “On the issue of opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, I must say these countries have made exceptional efforts, especially with the signing of the Prespa […]

Pendarovski will meet Macron on Tuesday


North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski will meet French President Emmanuel Macron November 12, the President’s office confirmed Tuesday. President Pendarovski is set to visit France November 11-13 and address the 2019 Paris Peace Forum on November 12. The event brings together more than 30 heads of state and government. Pendarovski stressed that in the coming […]

Financial Times: Emmanuel Macron’s EU accession veto is a historic mistake


You consider that French president Emmanuel Macron has made a “historic mistake” in vetoing the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, but the French opposition to the opening of negotiations is in no way linked to the particular assessment of the candidate countries, but to a much more fundamental political problem […]

Kotzias: Greece should take initiative to organize meetings for stability in the Balkans


Greece should take initiative to organize meetings and coordinate with countries sharing the same position on stability in the Balkans regarding North Macedonia’s European perspective, former Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias told a conference on progressive foreign policy organized by ENA Institute for Alternative Policies. Participants in the conference discussed aspects of Greek foreign policy, […]

Thimonier: The Prespa Agreement isn’t the sole precondition for starting accession talks


French Ambassador Christian Thimonier said that he has informed French top officials of North Macedonia’s disappointment following the EU Council meeting in Brussels. Thimonier added that geopolitics surpassed realistic expectations, giving the public “the impression that the Prespa Agreement is the sole precondition for starting accession talks.” The French ambassador said the Bundestag wasn’t ready […]

Macron to visit Skopje and Tirana next month


President of France Emmanuel Macron is set to meet with Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama next month in Skopje and Tirana, reports Exit.al. With his visit, Macron seems to be aiming to prove to Albania and Macedonia that the European perspective of these countries is still open and France will help them achieve it. A […]

“No” from Brussels takes Zaev to the polls


“The Prespa Agreement is central to plans for the country’s future. It is also the essence of your youth ambitions and what we can do together in the years to come. It is a simple, clear and modest message that I want to send you. I cannot take your place because you vote independently in […]

Zaev remains optimistic about getting a date to start EU negotiations


North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev remains optimistic about the country getting a date to start EU negotiations. According to him, the issue will be handed over to the EU leaders to decide. Whatever the outcome, there won’t be early elections, said Zaev. “French President Emmanuel Macron will like to elaborate the new methodology. It doesn’t […]

Zaev: France is not against us, I expect a positive decision


North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev remains an optimist that the European Council will reach a positive decision over a date for the start of EU accession negotiations and believes there’ll be a definite answer on October 17 and 18. “I remain an optimist because we have all the arguments in the world to get […]

France ‘torpedoes’ EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia, Albania


France insists the EU should not, at this stage, greenlight the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, a French diplomatic source said, speaking to the state-run North Macedonian News Agency MIA. The decision on whether or not to start accession negotiations with these two countries is expected to be taken during the […]