Percorso:ANSA > Nuova Europa > News > Brexit: shocking news for the Balkans

Brexit: shocking news for the Balkans

The most important change since the fall of the USSR

24 June, 17:13
(ANSA) - BELGRADE - The UK's decision to leave the EU is the breaking news on all the media in the Balkan region, where a vast majoriy of countries aspire to join the EU. Romania and Bulgaria are EU members (they both joined the Union in 2007), Slovenia (member since 2004) and Croatia (latest membership, in 2013). In all the other countries of the former Yugoslavia, and in Albania, European integration is the main focus of national policies. Serbia and Montenegro have already started the accession negotiations, whereas Bosnia-Herzegovina has applied for the status of candidate country, Macedonia has gained this status since 2005 but has not yet started accession negotiations, due to Greek opposition and the long-standing name dispute. Kosovo achieved independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, and has now signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and is hoping for a quick progress towards the status of candidate country, asking first the abolition of visas for Kosovars traveling within the EU. News agencies, radio and TV stations, online newspapers and leading portals in the Balkans have been closely monitoring the Brexit vote, and all news reports begin with the shocking news of the win for leave. (ANSA).

© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved