French Minister: Admission of Western Balkans in the EU Is Geopolitical Imperative

Western Balkans (Photo: Nevena Zaric)

French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad on March 24 said that the EU enlargement process and admission of the Western Balkans as well as of Moldova and Ukraine were EU’s geopolitical imperative. 

“France’s position is clear. Admission of the Western Balkans, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, is a geographic and political imperative for Europe. In Europe, stability is needed in the light of various interferences, so enlargement is imperative,” Haddad said at a conference titled “Is EU enlargement a strategic choice? France, the Western Balkans and the EU in an uncertain geopolitical context,” held at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) in Paris.

Haddad also said that the enlargement process was long and demanding and that the candidate countries needed to fulfill the requirements relating to the rule of law, implement and honor judicial and economic reforms and apply democratic values.

In his words, the EU should further develop its internal market, ensure defense cooperation and create a European political community in order to unify all goals.

“It is necessary to strengthen the role of the Western Balkans in the EU political community. France has maintained rich cooperation with those countries, which can count on our support when candidate countries start doubting,” Haddad said.