PRESS RELEASE
Brussels
16 October 2019
Reacting to recent developments regarding the opening of accession talks with the Western Balkans, the European Green Party co-chair Reinhard Bütikofer said:
“Even though it is disappointing that France has once again decided to block the opening of accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, it is essential that every effort should be made that a solution can be found. Western Balkan countries are being kept in a constant state of limbo despite significant progress to align with EU values that required tough and sometimes painful reform.
“Further delay can only lead to a sense of alienation from European ideals and push them into seeking out alternative spheres of influence. France must start to heed the overwhelming majority of member states that support opening accession talks. This is an example where the EU’s ability to be an external policy actor is at stake. As France supports more ‘Weltpolitikfähigkeit’ for the EU it should not singlehandedly veto it.”
END
Paul Nolan
E paul.nolan@europeangreens.eu
M +32 475 94 69 81
T +32 2 626 07 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
