France believes that at the moment no specific date can be set for the start of negotiations between Northern Macedonia and the EU. A solution to the problems between the two countries must be found as soon as possible, but setting deadlines could disrupt the pace of the process. He stated this in front of the journalists in Sofia after the end of the visit French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Bon.
As MIA correspondent from Sofia reports, Clement Bon said that he sees the will of the new Bulgarian government and the Macedonian authorities in Skopje to continue the dialogue. According to Clement Bon, France is ready to support this process as a partner and as the next chair of the EU Council.
To preserve stability in the Balkans, he said, France can not wait too long, but at the same time we must have an understanding of the problems that Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia need to solve.
“I am leaving Sofia with confidence and hope, because I heard from the Bulgarian authorities the will to find a solution as soon as possible,” said Clement Bon.
He reminded that France has requested a new methodology for negotiations with the countries that have already started negotiations, such as Serbia and Montenegro, as well as those that have yet to negotiate, such as Northern Macedonia and Albania. “These negotiations should no longer be legal, technocratic and automatic, there should be a political and reversible process in the enlargement discussions,” said the French Secretary of State for European Affairs.
During his visit to Sofia, Kleman Bon was received by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Gencovska.
Source: MIA
