European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday failed to agree on a report of the European Commission to give EU candidate status to Macedonia.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country is holding the current EU presidency, told a press conference here that the foreign ministers had held "constructive discussion" on the issue, but "some member states" rejected the idea and the issue would be decided by the EU summit, to be held later this week.

Earlier, the European Commission has tabled a report proposing to grant this Balkan country the EU candidate status.

France openly voiced its opposition against the move to offer candidate status to Macedonia, saying the question should await a wider discussion of further enlargement next year.

"The problem is whether we should carry on now with a new wave of enlargement," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told the news conference.

"Is this the right moment when neither the institutional nor the financial conditions are in place?" he added.

Local media estimated that Macedonia might fall as the first victim if the EU fails to reach consensus on the 2007-2013 budget plan as some EU member states link the further EU enlargement with tough budget talks.

"Some believe the link between the EU enlargement and financial perspective," Straw told the press conference, adding that " it isnot in the view of Britain."

The EU wants to strike a deal on the budget plan at the upcoming summit.

"The presidency wants a deal," Straw said.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2005)