Skopje, 8 July 2022 (MIA) – It’s clear that the discussion on whether to continue with the revised French proposal or not is in the hands of this country. It’s not up to the EU, the Presidency or any other EU member state, EU Ambassador David Geer told Friday’s “Forum Europeaum 2022. The Western Balkans and the EU in 2022: what lies ahead?” According to him, this doesn’t mean that the country should accept any proposal or the revised French proposal. “The country needs to decide, but it is a factor in choice and this choice should be made peacefully and in discussion. The proposal is certainly a compromise, we’ve heard a lot about this compromise, some assessments are fair and some are far from the truth,” said Geer. He added that public debate is difficult and emotional, noting that damage has been done as there has been delay in the progress of the accession process. Ambassador Geer said the remarks he wants to make are not intended to pressure or mislead or do anything other than try to give clarification as the debate has regrettably become very polarized. He added that the discussion needs to be started from the EU side as well admitting certain failings. After Prespa, he noted, there was the great achievement of joining NATO, pointing out that the country has made great progress, but the EU didn’t open negotiations which has led to frustration and distrust in the whole process.