The French presidency more active in the Balkans than announced?
(B2) Even if it is not a “top priority” or even a simple priority, enlargement, in particular to the Balkan countries, could well constitute a major dossier for the French presidency. France has thus undertaken to open all the negotiation chapters with the Croatia in order to allow in 2009 to conclude the accession of the most touristic country of the ex-Yugoslavia. It will also have to support the work of the UN mediator, Matthew Nimetz, responsible for finding a solution between Greece and Macedonia, on the name of this country, putting pressure on both countries. A work already started if we trust Nicolas Sarkozy's last trip to Greece. For the Montenegro, the smallest country in the region which separated from Serbia in 2006, the French presidency will be an important step with the recognition of the status of candidate country. Finally, the development of the internal situation in Serbia, as at Kosovo, will benefit from “special attention” from French diplomats. The December summit, under the French presidency, could thus constitute a new stage in the reunification of the Balkans within the European Union.
For a country considered reluctant to enlarge, that's not bad...
(NGV)
(published in La Lettre de l'Expansion, June 16, 2008)
