Skopje, June 30, 2022 — The Government of North Macedonia announced on Tuesday that it has received a new proposal from the French Presidency concerning the country’s stalled European Union accession process, but did not disclose the content of the proposal.

In a press release, the government said the proposal reflects France’s publicly stated positions and views, and that it will now be examined through a broad domestic consultation process.

The announcement follows last week’s approval by Bulgaria’s parliament of an earlier French initiative aimed at lifting Sofia’s veto on the opening of accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. That earlier proposal was rejected by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski and other political actors in North Macedonia, who argued that it allowed sensitive historical and identity-related issues to become part of the EU negotiation framework.

Officials in Skopje have repeatedly insisted that interpretations of history should not be included in accession talks, which are meant to focus on legal, political, and institutional reforms.

According to the government, the new French proposal will be discussed within the governing coalition and then with the President, Parliament, opposition parties, civil society, experts, and the wider public before any decision is taken.

“The decision will be made jointly, on the merits, and in accordance with the strategic interests of the country and all its citizens,” the statement said.

The government also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and the French Presidency for their efforts to help overcome obstacles and preserve the credibility of the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans.

CIVIL Today News Desk