Macro “ph” EU membership hopes

According to “Politco”, Makron's comments are particularly disappointing for Albania and Macedonia, which hope for a green light from EU leaders next month to start negotiations with the bloc and have received the European Commission's OK in April.

What we've seen in the past 15 years is the path that has weakened Europe every time we think of expanding it. I don't believe that we serve candidate countries or ourselves having a mechanism that somehow has no rules and continues to move towards greater enlargement”, has been expressed to the media in Sofia Macron.

I am in favour of the Balkans in Europe and move towards Europe. But I think we should look at any new expansion carefully and rigorously. I do not agree to move towards enlargement before we have all the necessary security and making real reforms for better deepening and functioning of the European Union”, the French president went on.

Politico follows further that the Balkans have supported the EU agenda as leaders are alarmed by the impact of other powers, especially Russia. But EU members are divided to declare that all six Balkan countries at the summit can join the bloc one day. Various opinions also have a potential date for accepting new members from the region.

Macro is one of the EU leaders most cautious in terms of enlargement. His remarks Thursday have been tougher than the comments he made at the European Parliament, where he presented his position last month.

I am in favour of the Western Balkan countries that have a strengthened strategic dialogue and a perspective, that we pursue reforms that are undertaken and encouraging them, but without being weak and hypocritical”, he added.