French Ambassador to Serbia Frederic Mondoloni told TV N1 on Thursday that his country’s President Emmanuel Macron should visit Serbia in July, adding Paris wants “a strong Europe and a strong Serbia in the European Union.”
He said the last visit at this level took place 18 years ago and that Serbia and France had diplomatic relations for 180 years. “Our rich history obliges us. We have excellent bilateral relations in all areas – politics, economy, culture. As far as the cooperation is concerned, we want even more,” the Ambassador noted.
Mondoloni added France looks at Serbia as a friendly country, an ally and its primary partner in the Western Balkans. He said the economic cooperation was a priority, while the trade exchange was several EUR billions and is on rise.
The Ambassador stressed France supports Serbia’s European integration and that the both Brussels and Belgrade should carry out reforms at the same time. He said the EU integration process was long because many concrete things had to be adjusted like the rule of law, the chapters 23 and 24 (judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom, and security).
Mondoloni underlined that Pristina should immediately suspend the 100 percent import tariffs imposed on goods from Serbia and Bosnia last November. He added Kosovo should not block Serbia’s integration into the EU.
Mondoloni also opined Belgrade – Pristina dialogue should resume as soon as possible, saying he considers “the status quo” dangerous since it could result in tensions and violence in the region.
