Joining the club - or not? Balkan states seek a 'European perspective'

Today we’re looking outside of the European Union to a region that's experienced war, major political upheaval and economic change in the last 30 years: the Western Balkans. We're talking about Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. One of these countries - Croatia - is already a European Union member; the others are all at various stages of trying to join. There’s been a knockback, though: Albania and North Macedonia had been expecting to get the green light for the formal accession process to begin in 2019 but have been told they'll have to wait.
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[@maksimnikiforovski2034]

Average people in the 'Western Balkans' speak better English than the French gentleman in this video.

[@chappo6396]

I didn't liked when Americans make fun of the French, but after watching this video - I don't blame them

[@kemalsalic3521]

The French have always been arrogant and distant towards the Balkans, due to this attitude and EU's empty promises most of these Balkan states will now turn to influences of Turkey, Russia and China, which will be a huge blow to the so called 'European Values'.

[@jomogo4644]

lol the balkans stepped out of chinese contract deals because they always overpromise

[@milelojpur5959]

Turkey is out.. they dont want islamic country in Europe

[@ems7623]

Europe needs to move faster to bring the Balkan countries into alignment with the EU and help them develop into secure democratic members of Europe. If it does not, Russia and China will assert their influence in the Balkans undermining European security and prosperity. It's as simple as that.

[@dyawr]

This aged like fine wine... Amin.

[@forzaazzurri1471]

@@dyawr What do you mean? Other than Serbia all Balkan states have always been aligned with Europe and European values. Why are you being deceptive?

[@argelast]

If there was a compromise with Macedonia and they make the changes which they were ask for they must be part of the European Union, if not this set a bad example and desilusion for the new members who are willing to improve and get in

[@chappo6396]

I like the idea of mini Schengen. Then they can trade with EU, China, US, Russia and sell their products to the highest bidder.

[@hm-fe9ur]

Croatia is not ''balkan''

[@dyawr]

Yes it is. It's in the Balkans. And part of the former Yugoslavia.

[@forzaazzurri1471]

Yes it is.

[@TheMercyBeat]

That's true. Croatia is a Central European country just like Slovenia.

[@hristinatrajkovskatrajkovs74]

I am from North Macedonia and I'm telling you majority of people from Balkan countries, don't like to be in European Union. You lied to us very very much. North Macedonia is almost 2 million people and our country is beautiful we have the most healthy fruit and and vegetable, milk, every meat, and we are happy.

[@slepk7898]

But your not in EU

[@anilihism]

yes we do want to be in the EU, speak for yourself bro.. we are just disappointed at the decision thats all

[@zeljkopavlovic286]

Yes. Only Turkey no. ; - )

[@TheMercyBeat]

Balkan as a region doesn't exist. It is a made up term. Balkan is a mountain in Bulgaria.

[@milelojpur5959]

please say yes to accept Albania so all albanians go to France Germany:)

[@aesthetic2660]

Whats the point of putting Croatia in this group "Western Balkan's" when Croatia is already in EU. And dont let me start on cultural differences and many more. Croatia doesnt fit in Western Balkans.

[@mirelsalaj3925]

Are u kidding Croatia is very much Balkan...

[@MrJoker-qh9oc]

Please STFU and don't talk about what you don't know.

[@filip5018]

Bc croatia is a part of western balkan… what a stupid comment

[@coyote9943]

@@filip5018 what he is trying to say is that croatia is above rest of us, we are savages and they are aryan race compared to us

[@filip5018]

@@coyote9943 they can be whatever they want, they are in the western Balkans very much so

[@loremipsum7ac]

The problem is the Eastern expansion brought governance problems that EU cannot solve.

[@milelojpur5959]

what problems? EU usa made those problems and they can go away in second..

[@islandstyle324]

🤙🏽