Brussels, 25 January 2022
The Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament held today its traditional meeting on the new presidency of the Council of the European Union. French Minister of foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian presented the programme of the French Presidency in a packed committee hall.
In his discourse, Le Drian focussed on the need to develop a European sovereignty on security, health and economy. Next to the French points of focus such as Africa and the Indo-Pacific, the minister also mentioned the interest of the EU relating to the Western Balkans and he looked forward to the upcoming EU Western Balkan Summit planned during this semester. He referred to the importance to provide a clear future for the countries in the region, based on the new methodology that has been adopted two years ago.
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Željana Zovko intervened in the debate on behalf of the EPP Group and raised the point of the security situation in the Western Balkans. She referred to the French contribution in the negotiations of the Dayton Paris Peace Agreement and said that 26 years later, the agreement is ignored. “What do you think of the reform of the electoral law to regain the respect of the spirit of the DPA and how does France see the security situation in the Western Balkans?” Zovko asked the minister, adding that despite all the efforts of France and Croatia in the region, things aren’t as they should be.
Le Drian acknowledged that the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina is worrisome and that France condemns the institutional blockade. He said that the French Presidency plans to be active in promoting the dialogue to appease the tensions. “Electoral and constitutional reforms before the deadline could lead to a guarantee of the legitimate representation of all components of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is essential and we will pay close attention to this matter,” Le Drian stated.