Brussels, 16/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - EU heads of state seemed to be prepared on Friday to grant 'candidate country' status to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) but the formal adoption of the decision (in the form of European Council conclusions) was in suspense on Friday awaiting the outcome of the stormy EU budget negotiations (on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013, see other article).
At the COREPER meeting on Wednesday, France agreed in principle that FYROM should be granted candidate country status but still has reservations (see EUROPE 9089). France wants the decision granting candidate country status to make no explicit reference to starting accession negotiations. France wants a full debate in 2006 on the EU's enlargement strategy before any decisions are taken about new countries joining the European club. France is also linking the issue with the overall outcome of the European Council, warning that it will only agree to FYROM being given candidate country status if it agrees with the outcome of talks on the Financial Perspectives and cut-rate VAT (see EUROPE 9083 on VAT).
The draft conclusions on Friday evening simply spoke of the upcoming stages to be examined in the light of the debate on enlargement strategy. The draft conclusions add that any new stage in FYROM's path towards the EU will be examined in the light of Skopje (the capital of Macedonia) respecting pledges made in the Stabilisation and Association Process and actually implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The EU's absorption capacity must be taken into account, adds the draft conclusions document. The European Commission is urged to monitor the situation in its progress reports.