France views the "open Balkans" without Kosovo with skepticism

The Ambassador of France to Albania, Elisabeth Barsacq, has stated that the real issue in the whole discussion about the "open Balkans" is and remains the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.

She said that she views this initiative without Kosovo with skepticism, and thinks that dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is a priority for Europe.

"I believe that everything that has been done in signing agreements to move forward and increase bilateral exchanges is very good, but if you look at it from the global point of view of the entire region, the real issue remains the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia and the issue of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. We will not be able to sustainably build a truly sovereign Europe if we do not have this dialogue and move forward in this area. To return to very concrete things, as you know, since July 1, 2021, free roaming has been established between the 6 countries of the Western Balkans. When this became possible, I immediately thought of the moment when France and Germany decided to combine coal and steel. It starts with things like this, maybe not very spectacular, to go to the really essential things. Today, to communicate freely, to use the phone wherever you are in the region, is more or less like it is the coal of our communication. In a region where you can get around quickly because the distances are not too big, from Shkodra you can go to Podgorica for lunch and not have a problem with the phone", said Barsacq.

On January 1, France took over the next Presidency of the European Union. After Slovenia, she will chair the Council of the European Union for six months, which represents the interests of the 27 member states before the European Commission and Parliament.

The Ambassador of France in Albania, Elisabeth Barsacq, has expressed that there should not be a division in the EU integration process, between Albania and North Macedonia, even though the latter is being held hostage by the Bulgarian veto.