Skopje, 23 November 2024 (MIA) – France supports North Macedonia’s EU integration process standing ready to provide all of its assistance to lift current blockades. Commitments must be honoured. It is necessary to be realistic and to understand there is no absolute guarantee for the outcome of the integration process, which in itself is complex, because it requires unanimity from all member countries, French Ambassador Christophe Le Rigoleur says in an interview with MIA.

“Within its Western Balkans strategy, for France, integration of the region is a priority. Thus, France has been fully supporting and will support the process allowing integration of North Macedonia into the European Union. It is prepared to provide all of its assistance to lift current blockades. Commitments must be honoured. However, we are not indifferent to the sensitivity of the issue,” Ambassador Le Rigoleur says when asked if French mediation is possible as regards the so-called French proposal plus, the constitutional change with delayed effect until the negotiations are completed, which is something that the Macedonian government is advocating for. 

According to him, we should be realistic realizing there is no absolute guarantee for the outcome of the EU integration process due to it being complex and the decision-making process requiring consensus. 

“It is necessary to be realistic and to understand there is no absolute guarantee for the outcome of the integration process, which in itself is complex, because it requires unanimity from all member countries. Yet, France is prepared to work and to use its power of conviction to make sure the integration process benefits the European Union and the entire south-eastern region of Europe,” stresses the French diplomat. 

In anticipation of the new European Commission composition and the EU reforms, Le Rigoleur was asked whether consensus, as a deciding principle in the bloc, could be reconsidered.

“The European Union and the European Council have always been very creative when it comes to finding a solution to overcoming situations of blockade. Yet, there is no formal ’27 minus 1’ mechanism, which is why it cannot be an institutionalized solution to the current blockade. EU enlargement decisions are regulated under the principles of unanimity. Without a doubt, the best guarantee for North Macedonia is to keep on being committed to its reforms, in order to enhance its candidacy, whose quality will be recognized by the European Commission and the member countries,” the new French Ambassador tells MIA. 

Photo: MIA