Skopje, 10 February 2023 (MIA) - French President Emmanuel Macron has sent a letter to Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski, extending congratulations and support for the progress made on European integration path over the past year. Macron also congratulated Pendarovski on the holding of the first intergovernmental conference for the country's EU accession, pointing out that with the agreement reached with Bulgaria, the Macedonian identity is fully respected, as evidenced by the Frontex agreement.

In the letter, seen by 360 Degrees, Macron mentions France's presence at all key moments of Macedonian history, from the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and up until today. 

"Thank you for your letter after our meeting in London. I use this opportunity to offer my most sincere wishes for you and your country, and wish North Macedonia a year of harmony and further progress on its European path. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries thirty years ago, France has always been present at key moments in your history: through Robert Badinter, who participated in the drafting of your Constitution, with the work of French diplomats and soldiers who helped prevent an outbreak of civil war in the early 2000s and helped conclude the Ohrid Agreement, and finally, in resolving your dispute with Bulgaria," Macron wrote in the letter to Pendarovski. 

In addition, he congratulates Pendarovski on the holding of the first intergovernmental conference for the country's EU accession, pointing out that with the agreement reached with Bulgaria, the Macedonian identity is fully respected, as evidenced by the Frontex agreement. 

"I congratulate you on the progress made over the past year. The holding of the first intergovernmental conference on accession negotiatios, on July 19, was a big step for North Macedonia. I also welcome the signing of the Frontex agreement with the European Union on October 26, which recognizes the Macedonian language, mentioned without any additions, which shows that the compromise proposal reached fully respects the unitary character of the Macedonian identity. You can count on my full and continued support throughout the accession negotiations. It will be my pleasure to visit North Macedonia as soon as my agenda allows it, at a date we will set toggether as appropriate in terms of the political agenda," the French President said in the letter to his Macedonian counterpart.