North Macedonia – Conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Macedonian counterpart (11 May 2022)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke today with his Macedonian counterpart, Bujar Osmani, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh, held in Marrakech, about resolving the dispute between Bulgaria and Macedonia and about the situation in Ukraine in light of the war unleashed by Russia on February 24.

The Minister underscored France’s full support for reaching a balanced, mutually acceptable compromise between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. He noted that if they do reach an agreement, France is determined to hold intergovernmental conferences between the EU and North Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible during its EU Council presidency.

The Minister reiterated France’s support for the European prospects of the Western Balkan nations and mentioned the conference this coming June between the EU and the Western Balkan nations, to be held under the French presidency of the EU Council, noting that those countries can contribute to that goal.