Can't form an alliance

[Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky]

I'm now playing as France, 140*'s. Had an alliance with portugal and aragon. checking after some time - alliance does not exist. offer tooltip says that I have more positive reasons, but X reason below: Your diplomatic status does not allow you to form an alliance. Not age of discovery and no hehemonies yet. No tooltip to show me what exactly prohibiting me from alliancing other nations. Anyone knows what it can be?
(probably not related with 1.3, but that't the patch I'm paying on)