15 minutes agoEU under France's direction: Schengen area strengthening, visas questioned
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)France has published the six-month programme with its priorities in leading the EU Council presidency. The organisation of a summit in June is set aside in the Western Balkans. The French EU presidency's priorities will also be strengthening the Schengen zone and protecting European borders. The 76-page program of the presidency [...]
The 76-page programme of the French presidency mentions the Western Balkans five times as appointment. France, which will lead the EU Council presidency from January 1st to June 30th, 2022, is not known whether to propose the Council's accession to the visa liberalisation issue for Kosovo.
Migrating and improving asylum policy in line with European values and with its international commitments.
In the enlargement chapter of the French presidency programme, France is said to continue negotiations with Western Balkan candidate countries, according to the new methodologist that has been approved in the Council's conclusions.
“The presidency will provide continued talks with candidate states on the approach to methodology approved in the Council's conclusions on March 15, 2020. It will support the work of the EU in the Western Balkans, promoting broad reforms, transformation in key areas such as rule of law, democratic institutions, press freedom and economic reforms, which will facilitate the incorporation of European achievements”, the French presidency programme says.
