WHO is WHO - Jean-Noël Barrot: The new head of French Diplomacy, Serbia is his most important ally in the Balkans

Jean-Noël Barrot, the newly appointed French Foreign Minister, steps into one of the most critical roles in the French government following Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s announcement of the new cabinet. Barrot, previously the Minister for European Affairs, has highlighted Serbia as the most important country in the Western Balkans.

Two months after the French elections, the country has a new government, and Serbia appears to have gained a significant ally in Barrot, the new foreign minister. He has expressed hope that Serbia will soon become a member of the European Union and noted the close friendship between France and Serbia. During a visit to the Serbian House in Paris, Barrot praised the “incredible exhibition on Serbia’s identity” and encouraged everyone to visit the Serbian House in La Villette.

Warnings Regarding Kosovo’s Membership in the Council of Europe

When Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe was being considered, Barrot acknowledged that while he believes Kosovo has a place in the institution, it still needs to meet certain requirements before joining. During a speech at the Committee of Ministers, Barrot, representing France—one of the countries that recognizes Kosovo—stated that while Kosovo belongs in the Council of Europe, there is still a path it must follow before being granted membership.

He also warned that Kosovo’s membership could cause divisions among EU member states and suggested that the issue be discussed later, once Kosovo has made more progress.

Support for Serbia’s Path to the EU

Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Serbia, Barrot emphasized that Serbia is “the most important country in the Western Balkans, an enclave in the heart of Europe,” and that the Serbian people are oriented toward the European Union.

“If we don’t support the Serbian people on that path, if, for example, Rafale jets don’t take the place of the Russian planes currently used by Serbia, this enclave at the heart of Europe will become an entry point for instability on our continent and a gateway for all authoritarian regimes, from Russia to China,” Barrot remarked.

Background: Former Professor, Politician Since 2015

Born in Paris in 1983, Barrot graduated from the European Business School in Paris in 2007 and was appointed a lecturer at MIT in 2013, becoming an associate professor in 2017. His political career began in 2015 when he was elected councilor in the same district where his father and grandfather previously held office.