Macedonia's candidate status for EU membership is uncertain as a result of France's opposition, the media report. Reuters reported that the French foreign minister confirmed this position at a press conference today, and he asked, "Should we start a new wave of expansion at a moment when the financial and constitutional frames for future functioning are not known".

He proposed that, at the EU summit on Thursday, the EU leaders only "recognize" Macedonia as a candidate for next year, when the EU would discuss the future of the EU institutions.

The heads of Governments and presidents of states will decide at the EU Summit on Thursday whether the EU should grant Macedonia the status candidate for membership or whether this decision should be postponed for next year, foreign media report.