Paris, 9 May 2022 (MIA) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday it is necessary to send clear signals to the countries of the Western Balkans and promises must be kept, noting that North Macedonia has had brave leaders who made bold steps in order to start the accession process, MIA reports from Paris. “We have to send signals to the countries of the Western Balkans. We will keep our promises so that we overcome obstacles ahead. Countries of the Western Balkans are part of the European family. So is Ukraine. We are working to bring the Western Balkans closer to the European Union,” Chancellor Scholz told a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. Asked on Macron’s proposal over a ‘European political community’ he said it was an interesting proposition towards solving EU’s big challenges, while referring to the enlargement process with the Western Balkans and North Macedonia in particular. “This idea does not prevent us to finish what we have started and what we have been working on for a while. This refers to the countries of the Western Balkans because they have taken brave decisions and this should be rewarded. I am implying to North Macedonia, which has had brave leaders who made bold steps in order to start the accession process. We should not discourage these bold steps,” added Scholz. President Macron confirmed that a summit for the Western Balkans would take place in June, ahead of the European Council summit. France and Germany would cooperate closely and in coordination “so that we resolve differences and clear up the Western Balkans’ European agenda,” said Macron. Pressed on clarifying his idea of a European political community and whether the WB countries are called to join, the French President said the idea came from the geographic reality, since “anchoring democracy and stability in Europe requires true political and geopolitical form of convergence and stability on the continent.” “We have responded to this through enlargement until now, by requiring the standards of our European Union. Therefore, this perspective for countries like Ukraine and several others is not on the horizon in several years,” said Macron. According to him, an expedited procedure for Ukraine’s candidate status is possible, “but we all know that considering our membership standards, it will require years, probably decades for Ukraine to join the EU”. Macron added that he would not want to take the risk of causing despair among those neighbors “that have this geographic proximity and are part of the same foundation of values to which we insist”.