French Ambassador to Macedonia Christian Thimonier said that the veto for Macedonia and Albania and the subsequent non – paper proposal to re-organize the EU accession process are not a historic mistake but a “historic opportunity” to fix the EU enlargement model. Speaking before the National euro-integration council, Ambassador Thimonier listed a number of reforms which Macedonia is yet to implement, including resolving the issue of the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

We share the will of the European Parliament to see the opening of EU accession talks as soon as possible, and there is nothing to prevent the implementation of given reforms. There are specific demands, to finalize the law on the public prosecutors and all other accompanying laws and these are the areas where we expect to see progress, Thimonier said, calling on Macedonia to pay attention to the fight against corruption.

The Ambassador added that he understands the lack of patience in Macedonia, but insisted that the French non – paper is well received and has spurred a debate which can be finalized until January.

Through the new methodology we are not only thinking about the Balkans but also about problems we failed to resolve before. The European construct is unique in history in that it is constantly being rebuilt to correct the mistakes of the past, especially toward the countries that failed to reform, Ambassador Thimonier said, insisting that there is no fear in France over bringing in new EU member states, but there is need to have them well prepared before they join.

Deputy Prime Minister Bujar Osmani called on the opposition parties to be constructive and help adopt a new law on state prosecutors. The law was stuck after the major corruption scandal that destroyed the Special Prosecutor’s Office and raised allegations of high level involvement in extortion and racketeering by Government officials.