Brussels, 23/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - At the European Council on 9 December, France will back Serbia's candidacy to join the EU, on condition that “definite progress” has been made in its dialogue with Kosovo, and will continue to oppose Turkey's candidacy, French Budget Minister Valérie Pécresse said on Wednesday 23 November, reporting on a communication from Foreign Minister Alain Juppé to the council of ministers.
France would be prepared to “support the award of the status of a potential candidate for EU membership” for Serbia, but only on condition that there is a “resumption of serious dialogue with Kosovo and definite progress”, Pécresse said.
France feels it “premature”, however, to open negotiations in December on granting candidate status to Montenegro and proposes to look at the issue in mid-2012 when it is hoped a report will have been filed showing effective implementation of the reforms undertaken in the country, particularly on strengthening of the rule of law, she added.
On Kosovo, France is in favour of an “agreement in principle on opening a dialogue on visas, leading ultimately to a liberalisation process”, Pécresse said.
Finally, the French government still categorically opposes any prospect of Turkey's joining the European Union, the minister went on. “France's position has not changed on either the methodology or the outcome of negotiations with that country”, she stated. France undertakes to give careful consideration to the Commission proposals on resuming relations with Turkey “after definite progress” has been registered, for example, on alignment of standards, enhanced political dialogue, visas, and readmission and border control, according to the minutes of the council of ministers. EU heads of state and government are due to discuss the possible enlargement of the EU to include Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and Kosovo on 9 December. (LC/transl.rt)