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.