Macro warns he will organise a conference for the Western Balkans

He has said so at a press conference, where he has talked extensively about the priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council that begin on January 1st next year.

Our closest neighbour is the Western Balkans. In June, we will host the conference for the Western Balkans because the Balkans are more than neighborhoods, in Europe's heart. As long as the map is looked at and our history”, Macron said.

Macron added that the region is currently going to a stage of tensions.

“History sometimes turns even tragicly. So today we have a special responsibility towards the Western Balkans. There we have to implement the policy of new engagement, but also investments in order to favour the economic integration of the region, help exchange people, resolve minority issues, and fight against the impacts and manipulations that are the result of the commitment of powers that through the Balkans want to destabilise Europe”, said President Macron.

He has added that the political and economic commitment in the Western Balkans is a true agenda for the sovereignty of Europe, because, as it has been expressed, “we cannot build Europe in peace for the next 50 years, if we leave the Western Balkans in the situation in which it is currently”.

“This means that we must clarify the European perspective, invest in the region, its unity, and have a shared ambition for the coming decade”, Macro added.

This warning is encouraging as France in recent years has been among the sceptical states of the EU enlargement process.

At France's request, the methodology of the EU membership negotiations process has been changed.

France takes over the EU chairmanship from Slovenia on 1 January next year. After six months, on July 1, 2022, France hands over the chairmanship of the EU, the Czech Republic.