France believes a specific date for the start of Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations cannot be determined at this moment. A solution to the problems between the two countries must be found as soon as possible but setting deadlines could disrupt the dynamics of the process, said French Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune after a visit to Bulgaria, MIA reports from Sofia.

Beaune said that he sees the will of the new Bulgarian government and the Macedonian authorities in Skopje to continue the dialogue. According to him, France is ready to support this process as a partner and as holder of the next presidency of the EU Council.

In order to preserve the stability of the Balkans, France cannot wait too long, but at the same time we must have an understanding of the problems that Bulgaria and Macedonia need to solve. I am leaving Sofia with confidence and hope, because I have heard from the Bulgarian authorities the will to find a solution as soon as possible, Beaune said.

He reminded that France has requested a new methodology for negotiations with the countries that have already started negotiations, such as Serbia and Montenegro, as well as those that have yet to negotiate, such as Macedonia and Albania.