Skopje, 22 June 2023 (MIA) – It is likely that the French National Assembly will adopt a resolution reaffirming the Macedonian language on North Macedonia’s path to the European Union, following the example of the document adopted in the German Bundestag, French MP Liliana Tanguy, member of French President Emmanuel Macron’s party Renaissance, told “360 stepeni” on Thursday. 

“During our talks we really noticed that this was strongly expected by our Macedonian interlocutors and of course, we discussed it among ourselves, and I think we are likely to adopt the same text as the MPs in the German Bundestag,” said Tanguy, who is on official visit to the country as part of a delegation of the Assembly’s France-North Macedonia Friendship Group.

Tanguy stressed she personally supports the Bundestag’s initiative, and said she believes the majority of MPs in the French Assembly could support it, which is why in her role as Chair of the Assembly’s France-North Macedonia Friendship Group, she said she is thinking about proposing such a resolution.

“I would like to discuss this with all my colleagues in the National Assembly, with all political parties, so we can have the broadest majority possible for the adoption of the text,” said Tanguy.

Regarding the expected guarantees of the Macedonian language, the French MP emphasized that France recognizes the Macedonian language and that the French National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, has a Department for the study of the Macedonian language.

“The solution as well, i.e., the ‘French proposal’ was significant for the reaffirmation of the Macedonian language, as a language officially recognized by the European Union, and these really are elements that could help us draft a proposal,” said Tanguy.

French MP Liliana Tanguy was born in the Serbian city of Panchevo, to a Macedonian father and a Croatian mother, who then immigrated to France. This is her second term as MP in the French National Assembly.

Last week, the German Bundestag adopted a resolution in support of North Macedonia’s European future, recognizing the Macedonian culture, identity and language. The resolution, which was adopted with the support of the parties from the ruling majority, also proposes to the Government in Berlin “to urge Bulgaria to support North Macedonia’s EU path within the frameworks of the compromise agreed with the Council, and to refrain from additional conditions.” 

Photo: MIA Archive