Skopje, 28 July 2023 (MIA) - French Ambassador Cyrille Baumgartner has said that North Macedonia will not proceed to the next stage of its EU membership if constitutional changes are not adopted by the year-end.

"This means that we are risking a blockade at a moment of boosted enlargement policy, with other candidate states showing interest besides North Macedonia. This is the reason why you have so many ministers and government officials who have come to visit in 2022 and 2023 to convey that message. There is a European momentum and it should not be missed," Ambassador Baumgartner told TV24.

He says many European officials have visited Skopje in recent months to highlight that the negotiated and adopted solution is supported by everyone in Europe, European institutions, all EU member-states, representing the best possible solution, which cannot be replaced.

"This is not about changing the wording for which European consensus has been reached, there isn't any room to impose new conditions," says Baumgartner.

According to him, fears that the package would jeopardize the Macedonian language or identity are unfounded.

"There is no reason for such fears if we see things in a rational way. When it comes to the language, the formula that was negotiated is very clear and recognizes the Macedonian language without any remark or stipulation," notes Baumgartner.

Photo: TV24