French President Emmanuel Macron, before his return to Paris, reflected on the summit in Brno, saying that there were good discussions about the Balkans and the enlargement, but that very complex situations had appeared, hence today discussions between North Macedonia and Bulgaria were at the forefront of the table, reports MIA.
– We had a very nice discussion on the Balkans and the prospects for enlargement. We have very complex situations between several countries. The Serbia-Kosovo discussions, namely Belgrade-Pristina, remain very complex and tense. We spent a long time with their leaders, together with Chancellor Merkel, said Macron.
He also pointed out the discussions that are being led between Skopje and Sofia, stressing that short-term perspectives need to be given to the region.
– The discussions between North Macedonia and Bulgaria today were at the forefront of the table. We need to advance in terms of these issues. However, our wish is for the Balkans to be given real short-term perspectives. They are in Europe, the Western Balkans are in Europe, said Macron.
The French President is worried about history returning and the great tensions in the region, advocating for a mutual approach regarding the minorities in the entire region.
-Today, in a way, we had history returning and great tensions, which should be responded to with political engagements and by investing in order to enable greater trade, human integration of the region. And finally to have a policy, to have a common approach on the manner in which minorities are treated, an issue that concerns the whole region.
According to Macron, the European Union has two challenges, the reform of its institutions and the enlargement.
-I think that the EU has two challenges, although there are many other if all issues are considered, but there are two institutionally. First we need to expand and have discussions with the neighbourhood, especially Russia and Turkey. At the same time, we need to deeply transform our joint functioning, which is already very difficult with 27 member states, you see that well. We have that dual task, which I think is complimentary, said Macron.
The President of France assessed that this was a summit where EU strategies were outlined, among which also the enlargement agenda.
-This was a gradual summit. It will allow for conclusions to be drawn on the geopolitics in October in Brussels. We have an agenda to progress on our foreign policy, as well as our strategic policy, and also an agenda on the enlargement policy, concluded Macron.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
