
The French proposal aims to overcome the differences between Bulgaria and North Macedonia on the issue of the Macedonian language and identity, as well as unlocking the process for starting talks with the European Union.
The French proposal consists of seven points. The part that has provoked the most debate is the question of language and the historical past.
In the first point of the French proposal, it is stated that the European Council welcomes the determination of North Macedonia to continue the reform agenda of the European Union and to provide visible and sustainable results.
Second, the Council recalls the importance of achieving visible results and implementing bilateral agreements in good faith, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria.
The third point of the French proposal states that the agreement on the protocol of the second meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission is welcome.
This important step will contribute to good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, which remain essential elements in the enlargement process, as well as the stabilization and association process.
Fourth, this commission will enable the strengthening of equal rights of members of minorities and communities in North Macedonia and as such will contribute to compliance with the Copenhagen political criteria. The start of work on changes in the relevant constitutional amendments is welcomed, with the aim of including in the Constitution the citizens who live within the borders of the state and who are part of other nations, such as the Bulgarians.
The fifth point of the French proposal states that the Council decided to approve the Negotiation Framework to hold the intergovernmental political conference with North Macedonia to present the next steps of the enlargement process.
Point 6 of this plan provides that "To complete this phase of the opening of membership negotiations, the Council also decides to convene another intergovernmental conference in order to present the Negotiating Framework and the current state of the preparatory work carried out by the Commission and is ready to hold it without further delays or further political decisions, as soon as North Macedonia implements its commitment to the aforementioned constitutional amendments, in accordance with its internal procedures.
At the end of the proposal, it is stated that the European Commission will assess the degree of readiness of North Macedonia for the opening of negotiations in certain areas and identify the issues that are likely to appear in the negotiations.