Does @EmmanuelMacron want to gum up forever the enlargement of the EU to the east? No, say French sources. We just want the process to work better in the interests of all. Diplomats from some other EU countries dismiss this as hypocrisy. Who’s right? Short thread 1/
A French “non-paper” floating new rules for EU accession will be discussed by Foreign Ministers or their deputies in Brussels today. Some see the 6-page doc as a toughening of Macron’s position last month when he (and others) blocked talks with Albania and N. Macedonia 2/
Au contraire, say French sources. This is a compromise. We want to make the process more “logique” (coherent/rational). There would be a 7-stage “courting process”. New members would gradually gain access to EU market/structural funds as they adapted to EU law/principles 3/
“At present, the process is a bit like an arranged marriage, in which you don’t see the bride or groom until your wedding day,” one FR official said. “We’re suggesting we might consider going out with one another, maybe even sleeping together, before we sign the marriage vows” 4/
On the other hand the process would be “reversible”. In other words, the EU could call off the wedding at any time if the new prospective partner fails to live up to expectations 5/
Other EU countries (by no means all) see this as a way of justifying/rationalising Macron’s opposition to formal talks with N. Macedonia – & especially with majority muslim Albania. They say Macron is playing domestic politics before a likely 2nd showdown with Le Pen in 2022 6/
But there would be some advantages to N. Macedonia and Albania in the suggested French approach. It would give them access to EU money, parts of the single market and, inter alia, the student exchange system Erasmus long before that could happen under the present rules 7/
Under the Fr proposals – intended as a starting point for negotiation – the seven steps to reach EU wedded bliss would be: 1) Respect for rule of law & fundamental rights; 2) education 3) employment law 4) financial rules 5) single market, ag and fish 6) foreign policy 7) others
Once 2) was completed to the EU’s satisfaction, the prospective member state could join the EU science and student exchange programme. Once 5) was agreed, they could get money from EU funds. Etc… 9/
The French non-paper is careful to say that Paris is committed to the principle of Balkan enlargement – not just N. Macedonia and Albania but also Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. They “belong to Europe, by virtue of their history, culture and geography 10/
If accepted rapidly, France implies, the new ideas would allow a decision to start talks with N. Macedonia and Albania at an EU-Balkan summit next Spring. A French climb-down or piece of French intransigence? Reactions from other Govt's today will be fascinating ENDS
