The stability of the Western Balkans is absolutely critical, French President Emmanuel Macron said in Paris on Thursday after a meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, stressing that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is “quite unique" and that he is ready to consider the country's European perspective.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Macron said the European Council perfectly perceived during one of the latest meetings “the frustration and resentment increasing in the region.”

“I think what we managed to fix between Bulgaria and North Macedonia at the end of the French Presidency was critical to unlock the situation for Albania and North Macedonia but at the same time it is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina is now stuck in a situation quite unique in the Western Balkans,” said Macron.

He expressed readiness for a “fully-fledged discussion to consider the proposal made by Mr prime minister (Golob) and pushed by some colleagues,” having one perspective and one objective – providing the maximum chance to create the peace and stability in the region

“And it is clear, if we listened, that we have increasing external forces using the situation, tensions between the communities to destabilise not just Bosnia and Herzegovina but the closest neighbours and the whole region. I think we cannot accept that. So, if the European perspective is part of the package with conditions to fix it, I am totally ready to consider it,” he added.