Macron Seeks to Slow EU Expansion in Blow to Balkan Aspirations
- France resists accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia
- EU nations remain split ahead of decision due on Tuesday
The "Warrior on the Horse" statue sits in a puddle reflection in central Skopje, North Macedonia.
Photographer: Konstantinos Tsakalidis/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Balkan hopes of starting accession negotiations with the European Union hang in the balance, as France insists the bloc is not yet ready to discuss the possibility of accepting new members, documents exchanged between diplomatic missions in Brussels show.
North Macedonia and Albania are keen for a green light this week to start formal talks to join the world’s largest trading club. While most member states back their request, France and the Netherlands want a complete overhaul of the enlargement process before negotiations with the two countries can begin.