French Ambassador says EU integration has to speed up

Speaking during a debate organized by the Center for Foreign Policy, Cochard said that the priorities of the Frency European Union presidency are economic recovery, strengthening the EU and its strategic autonomy in security and defense as well as a sense of belonging. He said that he realizes that some countries in the region are exhausted by the years of negotiating on EU membership which is why France wants to speed up the process.

He said that the pace was good at the end of 2021 during Slovenia’s presidency with Serbia opening a cluster in its negotiation process. “We know that more has to be done and that is the priority for France in the coming period,” he said.

He said that the plan is to organize a meeting between EU and Western Balkan states at the end of the French presidency which should be attended by the leaders and other important players from the region. “We are providing common responses to a very complicated geo-political situation today,” he said.