A new EU expansion plan could lead to membership for Albania and North Macedonia. But first it must get approved by a skeptical France.
The Elysée's initial response was broadly upbeat. In a statement, Macron's office hailed the proposal as a"significant change and a positive signal." But the statement also left open the possibility that Paris could demand a higher price before it is ready to put Tirana and Skopje on the path to membership.
The reference to a rethink of the functioning of the EU recalled previous French demands for the bloc to reform its institutions and make decision-making more efficient before it contemplates taking in new members. It left diplomats in Brussels wondering whether Paris now wants such an overhaul before signing off on even the start of enlargement talks. Major reforms of the EU are expected to take years to agree and implement.
"On the reform of the EU, it is a necessity. It will be progressive and is an indispensable pre-condition for accession, but not to the opening of accession negotiations,” the official told POLITICO.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
French Figure Skating Head Defies Call to ResignDidier Gailhaguet described himself as “tarnished by truly pathetic people,” including a “moralizing” sports minister who urged him to step down over the federation’s handling of alleged sexual abuse.
Consulte Mais informação »
Amanda Holden's tan knee-high boots work a treat with her French Connection denim dressAmanda Holden looked incredible on Instagram wearing a denim French Connection Dress, a brown roll-neck and the Britain's Got Talent star added a pair of tan knee-high boots from Sosandar.
Consulte Mais informação »
French Media Veteran David Kessler Dies at 60David Kessler, a well-respected French media industry veteran who had been heading the content division of the telco group Orange since 2014, died on Feb. 3 at his home in Paris. He was 60. Kessler…
Consulte Mais informação »
French port town dreams of becoming post-Brexit duty-free havenAuthorities in Calais are lobbying the French government to create a duty-free z...
Consulte Mais informação »
French Montana, Juicy J Appear as 'Partying Dames' in '50s and 100s' VideoFrench Montana has released the music video for '50s & 100s' and it's full of cars and money
Consulte Mais informação »
EU seeks to expand to six Balkan states – officialEU enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi says goal remains to embrace Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and North Macedonia in the economic bloc.
Consulte Mais informação »