As Boris Johnson works to gather support over his Brexit plan on the second day of the EU summit, it appears the UK’s departure from the EU is now not the only topic on the agenda at the Belgium gathering, with a row brewing between Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron over the accession of two states to make up Britain’s black hole. In a swipe at her French counterpart, she said: “The position of Germany was that starting accession talks could happen under certain circumstances. “But this position wasn’t unanimously agreed on therefore I very much regret it.”

She added: “We have agreed that ahead of the Balkan summit during the Croatian presidency, we will get back to the topic.

“We couldn’t overcome the differences of opinion.”

Mrs Merkel’s words come after European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker tore into Mr Macron, accusing the young Frenchman of making a “historical mistake” by blocking an EU expansion after Brexit.

The outgoing EU president said: “I am very disappointed about the results of the enlargement discussion. We didn’t have to decide if Albania and Macedonia would become part of the EU.

“We only had to decide if they could become candidate members to start negotiations, but unfortunately, some EU members are not ready for that. I believe this is a huge historical mistake.

“I want to thank Tusk for being my friend and accomplice. I want to thank all of you, some have been with my for ages and some only this last stage of my career, but thanks.

“I follow your work and read your stories. You are part of this project. I am and will always be proud of Europe.”

His words were also echoed by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis who said the EU had let down the Balkan states, pointing out both European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU’s Foreign Affairs chief Federica Mogherini had said two countries had met the criteria necessary to start talks.

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He said: “We promised them. I am very much disappointed.”

Incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with incumbent Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council president Donald Tusk, and David Sassoli, president of the European Parliament, earlier this month signed a letter proposing the start of accession talks aimed at admitting the two western Balkan nations.

However, after a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday, it was revealed Mr Macron had blocked the plan, with Tytti Tuppurainen, Finland’s EU affairs minister, saying: “Unfortunately today, the Council did not reach a unanimous decision. I regret that.”

No specific reasons have been given for the veto, although Mr Macron has said he will not start negotiations with the two countries until the entire accession process is reformed.

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Remarks exchanged between Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron come at a time when their relationship is being tested.

Earlier this year, Mr Macron laid bare the extent of his disappointment with Berlin by bluntly reeling off a string of areas where he disagrees with Mrs Merkel.

Rows are mainly over money and Germany’s spending budget as well as their differing political priorities.

Claire Demesmay, head of the Franco-German relations programme at the German Council on Foreign Relations, said: “Emmanuel Macron is no longer hiding his impatience towards Germany.

“We have clearly moved into an electoral cycle and one of political competition. The two leaders follow two antagonistic logics. And they need to show this to public opinion.”

Brexit has seen their divisions grow deeper with Mrs Merkel constantly open to granting the UK more extensions, while Mr Macron denying them.

Additional reporting by Monika Palenberg.

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