Macron: Dear citizens of Serbia...

At the beginning of his address, Macron said that he was honored to come to Serbia at the invitation of President Vučić, after his first visit five years ago, "with the ambition to reconnect the ties of the old friendships, which were tempered on the front of the First World War, with still vivid memories of the army on the Thessaloniki front".

"At that time, I was deeply moved by the warmth of the welcome that was given to me and which further strengthened my belief in the strength and vitality of the ties that unite us, the French and the Serbs," Macron said.

He then stated that since then the relations between Serbia and France, as well as exchanges and partnerships between the two countries, have developed further.

"As proof of this, I cite large projects in which first-class French companies are involved; the support provided by the French Development Agency on numerous works in Serbia, especially in the field of energy transition. I also cite the renewal of our intellectual exchanges, as evidenced by the participation of France as a guest of honor at the Book Fair in Belgrade a few months ago," said the French President.

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"Today, I am coming to Serbia again with a simple message: the European Union and its member countries need to have a strong and democratic Serbia under their wing, and Serbia needs a strong and sovereign European Union to defend and promote its interests, while respecting its identity", reads the text that was delivered to the editorial office of the newspaper Danas from the office of the President of France.

He also said that Serbia belongs to Europe by its geography, but more than that, it belongs to it by its history; the history of a proud Nation.

The citizens of Serbia, as he then adds, have a place in Europe, alongside France - which cares no less than Serbia about the uniqueness of its history and culture - in that community, which is the only place where we will be able to truly defend our common values.

"Despite this closeness, which is already so strong, the perspective of joining the European Union is not so appealing as it should be, while, in the background, concerns and fatigue are mixed, especially in connection with the pace of accession negotiations, but sometimes also a kind of resentment and even mistrust regarding the European Union prevails, which have their source in recent history and in conflicting memories," Macron wrote, among other things.

''That's why it's time'', he continued, "to look at history together, without prejudice so that it no longer represents an obstacle, which it still is today, between us and, even more, between the countries of the region that are all invited to be together under the auspices of the European Union".

"There is another thing: Serbia, rightly convinced of the uniqueness of its destiny and sometimes hardened by the challenges it has put before it, should not fear for its identity and its sovereignty by joining the European Union," Macron said.  

According to him, Serbia has its place in the auspices of the European Union: the place it has as a large central country of this region that is capable not only of being the main builder of the future of reconciliation and cooperation in the region but, if it wants to, a force of inspiration and a driving force.

EPA-EFE/SARAH MEYSSONNIER / POOL MAXPPP OUT

''Just like France, I am convinced of that, Serbia aspires to independence and sovereignty that only the European Union, possessing the means of its strategic autonomy, can give it. We will build this strategic autonomy together by providing ourselves with the means to ensure our security and by strengthening our cooperation in defense", the French President pointed out.

Speaking of the so-called Kosovo, Macron stated that the path proposed towards the necessary normalization preserves the essence: "the possibility for Serbs to live in Kosovo with respect for the law but without renouncing their identity or their natural ties with Serbia; but also the existence of guarantees regarding the preservation of the Serbian cultural and religious heritage".

He also stated that he will personally remain engaged, as he is sure that the EU as a whole will remain engage, in the implementation of the Ohrid Agreements and, first of all, in the establishment of a Community of municipalities with a Serbian majority.

"I would like to end by saying that my visit to Belgrade today, the new stages that we are setting for our bilateral cooperation, the real strategic partnership that we are building, the appeal that I made for the decisive engagement of Serbia in joining the European Union, all of this constitutes a message of confidence in our common future and also the best way to nurture and deepen so precious friendship between Serbia and France," the text concluded.