French Ambassador to Macedonia Christian Thimonier says that it is still not decided how Paris will vote on the proposal to open EU accession talks with Macedonia in October. The Ambassador warned that the rule of law issues will feature highly in the decision, after the major racketeering scandal and openly called for a serious investigation into the allegations that top Government officials were involved in racketeering.

The “Racket” case needs to be examined realistically and impunity of the political elite, from the one or the other side, needs to end, Thimonier said.

The investigation into the scandal seemingly stopped after the initial three arrests and prosecutors dare not go after the long list of SDSM party officials who were allegedly involved in the extortion of millions from businessmen.

The statement comes as the German Bundestag is expected to approve the opening of accession talks for Macedonia, and likely for Albania as well. Thimonier also hinted that France may be reluctant to divide the bids of Macedonia and Albania, even though the latter is seen as a more difficult case.

Of course that we will need to take the accomplishments of each country individually, but there is also the global vision for the future of the European Union, and this includes a regional dimension which is very important in the decision making.

France is the main opponent of future Balkan expansion, as President Emmanuel Macron and his officials warn that an expanded EU will become far too watered down and unwieldy.