(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).
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