The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on the occasion of September 8, the Independence Day, sent a congratulation message to the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski.
“Mr. President,
Allow me, on behalf of France and on my personal behalf to congratulate you on the national holiday of the Republic of North Macedonia.
I express all my solidarity, as well as the solidarity of the French people towards the Macedonian population which is also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. I also express my heartfelt gratitude for the repatriation assistance to French and European citizens at the beginning of the crisis. The European Union, by approving more than EUR 3 billion in aid to the Western Balkan countries in dealing with this unprecedented crisis, has shown its full commitment to the region.
I wish our bilateral relations to continue to strengthen. The French strategy for the Balkans envisages enhanced support of France for economic and social development of the region, thanks to the forthcoming activities of the French Development Agency in North Macedonia in the field of sustainable development.
This 2020 was an important phase in the Euro-Atlantic rapprochement of North Macedonia, which became the 30th member of the Atlantic Alliance on 27 March 2020. I welcome the March 25 decision of the Council of the European Union to open membership negotiations with your country.
Be convinced that you have all my support for the European perspective of North Macedonia. Following the Council decision of March 25, I wish that the negotiating framework be established as soon as possible. France will monitor whether it adequately reflects the new enlargement methodology and will continue to support the necessary reforms for North Macedonia to make progress towards the European Union, especially in the area of rule of law which is at the core of the European values.
Addressing once again my heartfelt congratulations, please, Mr. President, receive the assurances of my highest consideration.
Emmanuel Macron “
