Asked about the French announcement it will block Macedonia from opening EU accession talks, President Stevo Pendarovski said that, in his opinion, France is not opposed to enlargement but wants fundamental reforms.

My feeling and the feeling of those around me is that we are not seeing a French veto of our accession talks. France is rightfully asking for improvements in the methodology of the accession talks and that the benefits and progress in the various chapters are made irreversible, Pendarovski said during his visit to Vienna.

French diplomats yesterday told Reuters that they remain opposed to the opening of accession talks for both Macedonia and Albania, and will have the issue revisited in 2020. It is a shocking blow for the Zaev regime, after the imposed name change and years of political crisis the process caused.

Pendarovski “reminded our European friends” that Macedonia met all condition to open the accession talks and that the stability of the region directly depends on the enlargemnet process.

The citizens of “North” Macedonia expect the date to open accession talks this week. There is no other, better alternative for us. I won my mandate with the doubtless political support for EU and NATO membership and my actions have one goal – to join EU and NATO, Pendarovski said.