French President Emmanuel Macron said that joining the European Union "can’t be the only answer to the stability" of neighboring countries such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, CNN reports.

"First of all, because it is a process that is rightly demanding, and because we must also continue to simplify our Europe so that it is more efficient,” Macron said during a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Chișinău.

As CNN reports, Macron pointed out the importance of building a broader European political community to cooperate over key issues such as defense and security, which would not be a substitute for adhesion. “My role is to build consensus,” French President stated.

According to CNN, France has also taken the initiative to lead the European Moldova Support Platform, which promises the eastern European country 650 million euros ($675 million) of aid, according to Macron.