Which Country Will Join the EU Next?

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After years of enlargement fatigue, it seems there's renewed interest in expanding the European Union and adding new members. So with 10 applications on the table, which country is making the most progress towards becoming the newest member state?
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1 - www.reuters.com/world/europe/...
2 - www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications...
3 - www.newstatesman.com/world/eu...
4 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
5 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
6 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
7 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
8 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
9 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessi...
10 - www.eeas.europa.eu/delegation...
11 - www.eeas.europa.eu/delegation...
12 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
13 - neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
14 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europea...
15 - balkaninsight.com/2023/11/28/...
16 - www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/bosni...
17 - www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-srpska...
18 - www.reuters.com/world/europe/...
19 - www.politico.eu/article/bosni...
20 - gjia.georgetown.edu/2023/08/0...
21 - balkaninsight.com/2023/11/09/...
22 - www.theguardian.com/commentis...
23 - www.politico.eu/article/ukrai...
24 - thegeopolitics.com/north-mace...
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Context
02:08 Countries Send Their Bids
03:31 Candidate Status
04:41 Accession Negotiations
08:55 Politics and Controversies
11:31 Brilliant

[@Richard1A2B]

It's not a race, it's the ability to align and commit to the EU's norms written into articles 2 & 3 of the Treaty.

[@Wilhelmofdeseret]

Then stop importing people from foreign countries who don’t and never will commit to european norms.

[@ems4884]

It's not a race, but there are geopolitical pressures at play which are a risk to the long-term security and prosperity of Europe. Both Russia and China have made gains in claiming stakes in the southeast of Europe. China wants influence in Europe and they pursue this primarily through infrastructure partnerships, but they are not an entirely trustworthy superpower. Russia will do anything to weaken European unity inviting trying to describe governments,foster far right nationalust movements and use countries to threaten it's European event. They may have already succeeded in Serbia. This is not just a matter of following protocol.

[@yoouu4168]

@@Wilhelmofdeseret ironic, isn't it?

[@charivnick]

Yes but the EU norms are created by individual countries

[@VaucluseVanguard]

The rampant corruption in some of these countries meet the EU norms. They just have to become a bit less democratic and they should fit in just fine.

[@petarvsgaming7893]

What you said about Montenegro is not true. It is not led by a caretaker government right now, a proper coalition and goverment was formed after the recent elections. Also the person shown at 6:45 is the current Prime Minister, who explicitly stated that his number one goal is EU integration. Please take more caution when doing research for your videos.

[@nexxednetwork9141]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@nightbot1788]

koga zabole za tvoju mini moldaviju mrco

[@chrismne92]

@@nightbot1788 Idi šetaj opanke i kukaj o kosovu, mani se politike, nije to za tebe.

[@MrThemneboss]

Zabolje nas Crnogorce ! Mi bi zeljeli naprijed, a vi ostali kako hocete...

[@JustElijahRS]

Brate smirite se, svi smo ljudska bića sa krv i kožom.. Jebem ti geopolitiku.

[@BenchFox_]

Montenegro formed an actual government in October. We just have to see how long it lasts.

[@HueghMungus]

Thats no track record, IT'S BARELY ONE MONTH!

[@serbianwarrior385]

Another 20 years bud😂😂😂

[@Felixxxxxxxxx]

It¨s the longest ruling government we've had in a long time, hopefully, they will continue on the path of joining the EU. @@HueghMungus

[@kylekorona]

I found out today I was gay

[@kylekorona]

​@@serbianwarrior385I'm gay my nigga

[@MegaSavvis]

At 3:50 you say that Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia were NATO member before receiving candidate status, but Montengro joined Nato in 2017, and North Macedonia in 2020, so they were not nato members when they received EU candidate status

[@andin3720]

Yeap the only relatively old Nato member is Albania since 2009.

[@albertinsinger7443]

NATO made huge mistakes in Ukraine and lied and lied to all of the west constantly about the war in Ukraine and the pipeline issue was done by a NATO member. NATO will sense to exists once Trump is re elected in 10 months. EU wants Ukraine in when negotiations have not even started with Russia yet about ending the war and its fate.

[@user-vn3cj5gh2d]

He stated that NATO membership often precedes EU membership, not candidate status, he was speaking of the actual EU membership.

[@speeddemon8977]

i been to Albania and being in Albania is no difference then being in italy greece or spain to me albania was not only similar but better and cheaper the best warm people i have ever meet all across europe they will open their house doors and welcome you in

[@excentrik5725]

I am not sure how do you expect Kosovo to join EU when FIVE of its members dont even consider it a real country

[@filipe5722]

Neither Serbia nor Kosovo will enter without first sorting their relationship.

[@excentrik5725]

@@filipe5722 That doesnt address my argument

[@shauni1987]

If Serbia recognizes its independence then all other will as well .

[@milostomic8539]

Furthermore, Kosovo is not a full member of the UN.

[@filipe5722]

@@excentrik5725 I'm sorry, I assumed you were capable of thinking for yourself without needing me to fill every single logical step. Normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo implies mutual recognition. Serbia recognition of Kosovo is enough for all the five EU members to drop any objections to the recognition of Kosovo. Therefore, no extra step is really needed for Kosovo (and Serbia) to join the EU other than fulfilling the acquis.

[@boborock2012]

I honestly don't think Turkey stands a chance atleast not under the present president

[@zvikaso]

Never. Turkey will never be trusted.

[@tauceti8060]

Also almost all of it is on the asian side continent wise

[@nostro1940]

Belarus has more probability tbh

[@justaemptymall]

​​​​@@tauceti8060But a large portion of the population is still white? 😅 There's only a tiny amount of people living in the east and the largest is concentrated in the west. Kinda like Russia does it. Yes the geography is small for the western parts, but the population however is big in the small part. But with Erdogan in power nothing will change for the next 5 years or more :) no EU.

[@seneca983]

@@tauceti8060 Turkey's location doesn't seem to have hindered it's ability to join the EU. That has been due to other factors. Also, Cyprus is entirely outside Europe geographically but was still able to join.

[@jormungandrtheworldserpent8382]

the biggest problem the eu needs to solve before enlargement is that its currently way to easy for a single member to stall everything by vetoing major decisions with no real way to eject problem countries its actually kinda incredible that in all the years its existed they never considered what happens if somebody undesirable takes power in a member country or how vetos can be abused

[@Clone683]

Yeah, all it takes is one state going rogue to fuck everything up

[@welshed]

The alternative is that some countries will always get bullied and have to go along with things they don’t like. With no way to change it or get out. That’s simply unfair and undemocratic. The current way is the best way, but it becomes more and more if a hindrance with each new member. The EU only has two options to survive: Federalise or disband.

[@Felixxxxxxxxx]

or one could require a 2/3 or 3/4 majority, that way decisions that the majority supports will go through. @@welshed

[@Mitjitsu]

I'd rather that than bigger countries getting together and forcing legislation against other countries will onto them. Many countries would have exited a long time ago if that was the case.

[@beans69beans]

@@welshedWhat about a multi tiered EU? perhaps France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium can federalize immediately, as they seem to align on most values, and be pro-integration, and the others can join when they are ready, without losing some of the current benefits of the EU?

[@S28426]

As per usual, the best salesman for international alliances (EU,NATO) is Russia. And then they complain that they have no friends.

[@macanaeh]

Russia is speedrunning EU and NATO expansion, so that all of Europe is united and they are the only European state absent from the bloc, only to then do a 180 and join both of those themselves in like 50 years

[@GoyFromFinland]

@@macanaeh I highly doubt that will ever happen. It's going to have to be a form of Russia that has never existed before

[@macanaeh]

@@GoyFromFinland Never say never, Russia's internal politics are very divided even today and 50 years is a long time, so anything can happen. What I'm saying is pure speculation with a lot of wishful thinking, but in no way is it impossible

[@julianshepherd2038]

Russia is almost always invaded from the West. The geography means there is nothing but some rivers to stop armies sweeping up to Moscow The further west the border is, the narrower the border because mountains.

[@macanaeh]

@@julianshepherd2038 Which is why it's wise to ally the west, rather than be in constant confrontation with the people who you have the weakest border with and sooner or later, they will understand that

[@stormruner9183]

I 100% stand by EU expansion, but with the current decision making and voting system, it'll lead to an even more chaotic situation than the present one. I hope they find a way to solve this.

[@fahimshamsuddin672]

We could use de-balkanisation to reduce the number of EU member states from 27 to about 15-16 states. This will streamline things somewhat.

[@msl2299]

@fahimshamsuddin672 I think that would be a pretty difficult task, don’t think many members would be into giving away their own sovereignty.

[@fahimshamsuddin672]

@msl2299 Some like Moldova may do it out of necessity due to security threats like Russia. I think the Balkans and other nations in the Interamriam will also find this useful, too. The reasons are because it protects the new nation from external threats since it is more powerful economically and politically. In addition, the larger economy results in lower prices due to economies in scale. These new states would be multi-ethnic, and the former nations can become the new provincial governments of the unified nation. Ideally, the nation would be a unitary state, but options for a federation, confederate, or containing autonomous provinces also exist.

[@pingu6028]

Just eating popcorn in the middle of the donut but I wonder why many EU-people see enlargement as a good thing?

[@fahimshamsuddin672]

@pingu6028 imo it's better economically and in terms of security, too, to have an enlarged EU. If the EU didn't have a policy of enlargement, then Russia would continue to expand into this domain. Seeing how Russia has responded to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and others wanting to join the EU, the EU probably felt they had to expand to counter Russia, otherwise Russia would fill the void and gain greater control over the EU. Expansion is a matter of maintaining sovereignty. Russia fought against German extremism in the first two world wars, which was good. I feel like we are fighting Russian extremism now in a second Cold War. If we win, we can occupy and deradicalise Russia like Germany and integrate them into the UNE. The German economic and social success that followed demonstrates that Russia can be rehabilitated. Putin can also be held accountable unless he flees.

[@dancahill9585]

In light of Hungary and other countries who have backslid since joining, you'd think they'd work on procedures to boot countries from the EU before they added more. They already have countries that probably subtract more value from the EU than they add.

[@WallaseyanTube]

I have been wondering if other existing members would pass on all the criteria that new members are now subjected to. France for instance is one state that comes to mind.

[@lours6993]

@@WallaseyanTubeOut of curiosity, France on what counts?

[@maartenaalsmeer]

@@WallaseyanTube No. Some of the current EU members would not pass certain recent criteria. National debt not being more than 60% of GDP, par example. But current criteria only apply to new applicants, not to those who are already members.

[@j.m.harrincourt2208]

This addition and subtraction of value is a deceptive thing. These are just dry numbers. For example, it does not include how much these countries raise the GDP of the Powerfuls with cheap labor. Not by chance, they don't get fired...😉

[@alexpotts6520]

I guess the EU would rather retain some influence over Hungary rather than allow a hostile, undemocratic state on its borders.

[@cianoreillycork]

Extremely helpful having a visual guide for this!

[@filipe5722]

I don't know why everyone is throwing numbers like mid or late 2020s for some countries' entry when the EU already stated that their objective is to be ready for expansion by 2030. That should be read that only after 2030 will new members be accepted, which makes perfect sense considering the pace of the current reforms, both in the EU and in the candidate countries.

[@BrunoAlves-rj5uw]

True shit bro. Some people are too excited 😂

[@Yaaacar]

we applied in 2004, and entered 2013. So about 9 years (Croatia). But we haven't entered Schengen or Eurozone before 2023. Honestly Montenegro, Bosnia&Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Kosovo are way too dysfunctional to make much progress. Serbia and Albania could, but their governments are preoccupied with mostly populism to take the admission procedure seriosly. So I honestly doubt seeing any new Balkan members in the next decade. But I hope I'm wrong

[@lafabias1876]

This is probably the most realistic and to the point analysis I read here. It's obviously coming from someone understanding the Balkans thoroughly and from the inside, and not only through theoretical knowledge and info, as the (very much admired) authors of this channel mostly do. I wonder how come Montenegro is so much ahead in the accomplished steps and chapters than others, when it's a country basically run by a few families, is ripe with nepotism, corruption, and is built partially on mafia money from the 90s onward, and partially on the money coming from the Russian oligarchs and shady businessmen investing in real estate and land in the 00s and early 10s. I'd honestly like if someone could explain this to me, maybe I don't have the updated info, but I'd love to understand how come they managed to "wash their hands" from that legacy so fast and efficiently to make the EU commission believe they're the most integrated of the new member candidates.

[@Yaaacar]

@lafabias1876 That's the thing, Montenegro really didn't do that much. Think of it as taking a test, and in over a decade, you only wrote your name on it and answered 3/33 questions. Some of these chapters, like judicial and economic parts are tough, but some reforms could have been made ages ago, but that would hurt people with connections to the government. That's what happened to Turkey. They really didn't do much in the last 15-20 years in the application process, simply because it's against personal interests od Erdogan. It's easier to wine how "Europe doesn't want us". Similar to Serbians goverments views sometimes. Montenegro has a massive problem even without all the stuff you mentioned. They don't even have a currency bruh. They use Euro illegally and simply roll with it. They blankly stated that since they are in the process of EU integration it's only a matter of time they achieve Maastricht criteria for Eurozone so what's the point of making a currency just for the time in-between. You can imagine the face on Brussels birocrats after reading that idea lmao

[@MrThemneboss]

​@@lafabias1876Huh, please do update the info, after the 2020 elections, Montenegro changed a lot.

[@georgiossgk7384]

For Serbia to join they must drop the Kosovo issue and accept de jure loss of territory. And even then some other neighbour like Croatia can block Serbia's entry to the EU. Serbia doesn't really have a chance.

[@serbianwarrior385]

Most realistic man here,good comment Croatian neighbor, greetings from Serbia

[@Elongated_Muskrat]

"Enlargement Package" must be compensating for something.

[@liquidsnake6879]

Losing Britain lol it's still a body blow to the EU to lose one of it's largest economies, if either France or Germany left also it would end the whole thing immediately

[@sagittariusa7662]

You know how Europe is actually smaller than it appears on a map.

[@charivnick]

Tiny, especially because of inter-city transport major issues @@sagittariusa7662

[@notfunny3397]

@@sagittariusa7662 I always knew that about Russia and Canada but that just clicked for me Maybe it's cause I always thought of Europe as small anyway. Iceland and Greenland aren't that big either now that I think about it

[@danielhalachev4714]

Lack of meaning for example.

[@cosmindvd]

A huge chunk of Moldovan citizens have already european citizenship because of Romania, so that’s not a problem, the accession would help Moldova develop economically like Romania had and it’s still is, one of the fastest growing economies on the continent.

[@Robert-xy4xi]

Romania the most corrupt EU member and don't even start on Moldova!

[@serbianwarrior385]

Moldova fs aint coming close to join EU 😂😂😂they are probably 10x worst then Albania

[@Mitjitsu]

The problem with letting Moldova in is the issue with Transnistria. Especially if Russia is able to annex Odessa . Moldova would likely have to get amalgamated into Romania for that to happen. Ignoring that Moldova would be a massive drain on EU coffers.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

​@@Mitjitsu let Russia have Transnistria. It's not important.

[@Grzegorz_Grabowski]

​@@chesterdonnelly1212from Moldova perspective, it is. It has always been of great economical value for Moldova. Most of its electricity comes from Transnistria.

[@CTCTraining1]

Interesting video, strange studio lighting. Might be something to do with the bright sign in the background?

[@eminemeatingmmswithotherem5879]

I think Montenegro and then Albania is more likely. Montenegro is very close to eu values at the moment also has euro which will make the integration into the union more easily

[@bingo737]

Probably Albania will have to wait, and join together with North Macedonia in a distant future.

[@SmaziSmau-zn7jy]

Montenegro is basically ruled by serbia after the last elections.

[@diarmaidmoloney5611]

It has strong Serbian links also the Debt with China could be a major issue as it's about 1/3 of its GDB

[@serbianwarrior385]

​@@diarmaidmoloney5611Not only links but huge Serbian population

[@serbianwarrior385]

Montenegro has 40% of Serbian population and is too close to Serbia and Albania havent open any chapters with EU.

[@JamesofQPR]

Extremely interesting .Thank you!

[@miroslavilic5006]

Not only Serbia (all the issues it has and how much is messed up is some another story), the EU itself and its double standards can be blamed for the decreasing pro-EU attitude in Serbia. The majority of Serbian citizens are neither pro-EU nor anti-EU, but they absolutely don't giva sh*t about the EU. Here, the EU is perceived as an extremely hypocritical organization where one country has one set of criteria and another has completely different criteria. Some countries have to fulfill a million conditions and others are enough to whine. While Serbia had to fulfill a million (primarily political) conditions for each next step, some others were on the ''fast track'' without having to fulfill any of the necessary criteria and conditions. Whether someone liked it or not, the fact is that apart from the (alleged) political will of Ukraine and Moldova to enter the EU, they do not meet any other criteria. In all fields, in terms of level of development and progress, they are years, if not decades, behind Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, but within a few months they reached the status for which the Balkan countries had to pay blood, even the level of corruption, human rights, free market, freedom of speech is beyond terrible. Another very important factor in the diminishing positive attitude towards the EU is the EU's attitude towards the current Serbian government. Because the EU completely ignores the pro-EU opposition, 100% supports the autocrat in power, helps a person who is a copy of Orban to keep that power and considers him the only man to speak with in Serbia. For this reason, many people who were strongly in favor of the EU are slowly shifting their opinion, myself included. All in all, the EU itself has missed many opportunities with the Western Balkans and I think that those deceptions about the revived idea of enlargement no longer hold water and that no one cares so much about it anymore, nor does the EU have that magnetic power anymore because it offers basicaly nothing. Just double standards and nicely packaged blackmails. The general attitude in Serbia is that it would be best for us to be part of the European Economic Zone, like Switzerland, Iceland or Norway. To have solid economic, trade and business ties, a visa-free regime, but without unnecessary and endless negotiations about potential, or rather never feasible, membership. I think everyone would be relieved if this charade gonna stopped. By the way, Russia's influence in Serbia, believe it or not, is miserable. Neither is there a strong economic, cultural or any kind of exchange. Nobody buys Russian products (there's no any of tham at all), nor speaks Russian, nor do ordinary people care about Russia. The current Government is using Russia's veto power in UN because of Kosovo, and as a bogeymanin the West in order to get some benefit. Cheers!

[@antimaterijaYT]

Finally someone from around these parts telling how people really feel. I love when someone EUxplains to me from like urban Belgium how things are in my country and how our government is good because they "want" the EU.

[@i.m.3940]

With the exception of Montenegro, I don't think any of these countries have a realistic chance of joining anytime soon. They all have pretty serious internal and also external problems that are unlikely to get resolved within the next 20 or even 30 years.

[@SmaziSmau-zn7jy]

And Montenegro doesn't? You watch the news?

[@ElisSthlm74]

​@@SmaziSmau-zn7jy What do you mean? Can you be more precise?

[@muskoxi9886]

Well, All of the former Warsaw Pact and Post Soviet Union countries had serious problems when they joined the EU. Just being democracies for a really short time. Accession into the EU is what can solve many of these problems. While a few others should be dealt with in the chapters and accession treaty.

[@mildlydispleased3221]

The UK will probably be the next country to join the EU.

[@eldrago19]

Alternatively, the EU gives up the pretence that membership is based on making an internally cohesive block and admits it is just granted to spite Russia.

[@konstantinosmachias6378]

Hey I think you misspoke during the candidate status part of the video (around the 4 minute mark). Montenegro and North Macedonia did not join NATO until fairly recently (2017 and 2020 respectively). So they become candidates before becoming NATO memebers

[@giantWario]

Regardless of the fact that Montenegro has made the most progress, they are just the most uncontroversial applicant by far. I don't know what's with some people in the EU seriously thinking that they can ''fast track'' Ukraine and Moldova when some Russian allies have been elected in some EU countries. Slovakia and Hungary's current government in particular are just never letting Moldova and Ukraine join, not unless Russia actually loses the war.

[@mirceazambitchi1151]

Moldova has a huge pro EU majority in the parliament with one party having that, a pro EU president. Yes, there is transnistria, but Cyprus entered the EU while still having the issue with North Cyprus.

[@baha3alshamari152]

Cyprus gave up on the north as condition to join Moldova can't

[@giantWario]

@@mirceazambitchi1151 Yeah but North Cyprus is a Turk separatist region and Turkey is a friend of the EU (in theory anyway.) I'm sure you realize why Transnistria is a bigger issue.

[@eVill420]

@@giantWario Russia is losing a lot of influence and won't be able to keep up transnistria forever

[@danielhalachev4714]

And not letting Ukraine in is a good thing. It's a mini Russia in terms of oligarchy, corruption and mindset.

[@WallaseyanTube]

Very clear and informative.

[@kobalachashvili1367]

Georgia is about to get the candidate status in about 10 days (EU Commission recommendation to be rubber stamped by the Council) and you should have also mentioned Georgia's progress on chapters which is better than several other discussed

[@justaemptymall]

Are you from Georgia? Lmao

[@thespanishinquisition4078]

Indeed. That was quite a strange omission. Georgia still needs reform but it certainly has a better chance than say, Turkey, or Serbia. Still unlikey to join pre-2030, but at least its likely to join eventually.

[@henrybn14ar]

Georgia is an Orthodox country. A lot of people do not accept EU values.

[@thespanishinquisition4078]

@@henrybn14ar So is Greece. And Bulgaria.

[@kobalachashvili1367]

@@henrybn14ar since when is Orthodoxy a problem? As already replied Bulgaria and Greece are also Orthodox countries. Besides, was not European values based on Christian values? Anyway, regardless of this philosophical discussion, check opinion polls of Georgia - support of EU membership is steadily 80%+, so, respectfully your argument does not make sense in this context

[@JochenHormes]

First we need to get rid of the unanimity stuff. It cannot be that one or two countries can hold the whole EU hostage.

[@DenUitvreter]

It can't be foreigners bypassing national democracies to hold the people of a member state hostage.

[@DenUitvreter]

@@Besthinktwice Especially the national politicians, they have still have some loyalty to their people. The foreign politicians don't. They should not decide what happens to a different people, that can't vote for or against them.

[@valyshknee4203]

thats because you dont understand the EU, if a decision goes thru and its going to hurt a country's economy or something else, that country has the full right to say no and stop the entire organization from letting the vote go thru, ukraine and moldova are such cases because they do not hold to many of EU's requirements and they are there for a very good reason, one of which is to keep the currency stable, second is to keep illegal arms, and illegal drugs from entering the EU which Ukraine especially has a lot of, and to keep refugees out, this is because once Ukraine and moldova enter, they need to hold to the shengen border policy meaning they have to open their borders to the rest of the EU, opened to wide there is not a single sign of protection, only thing telling you that you are crossing the border is a sign. and what you have to know is that this way of voting was thought out exactly because of the fact that if a vote came and it was going to hurt a EU member state even slightly it could be outright refused by that one country, this is so that they cant do voting in the EU to hurt another EU state, a form of internal EU punishment, because that EU country can simply vote no and get it thrown into the trash can but hey i dont mind either way, if ukraine and moldova join its going to collapse the EU because they, especially ukraine, is so far from reaching the requirements its going to take the whole EU down with its massive issues like having a population that wants to flee conscription, and heavy amounts of corruption aswell as the lack of democratic pratices (zelensky cancelled upcomming elections) and once that happens everyone will be free from the euro and be able to control their own currency, inflation, deflation and rules again.

[@Koczu0]

Well if we get old voting system (the one that does not promote big countries) then why not

[@Miamcoline]

Quite helpful!

[@benknowles9633]

So glad its monday tldr is backkkkk

[@ricardo68]

I believe countries won’t be accepted one by one but rather in small bunches.

[@foxyboiiyt3332]

That's what I came to say. In 2s and 3s most likely

[@chrismne92]

There is no bunches. Representatives of the EU already said that every country will join according with progress they have made.

[@bbenjoe]

Agreed. As it happened in 2004 and 2007.

[@SantomPh]

Croatia joined alone

[@ari54x]

It would certainly make sense with Serbia and Kosovo if the EU is interested in either joining, as the will want that conflict sustainably resolved, and bringing both into the EU as sovereign members would actually be a reasonable compromise between Kosovo's desire for independence and western integration, and Serbia's desire for stronger economic ties to Europe, assuming Serbia remains interested. I think there's a lot of work for most of the member countries listed. In some ways the UK rejoining seems equally (im)plausible.

[@mkb6418]

Probably Montenegro will join first, Albania and NM will follow. They have developed a culture, that completing the chapters is beneficial for themselves, so they have the willingness to join.

[@WallaseyanTube]

Do you have a video covering the calls to reform of voting rights of member states that some have claimed are required for further enlargement?

[@esoteric_mememaster]

Very interesting

[@marijacvetkovic1965]

The answer is - none. The EU will cease to exist before any of those countries manages to get in. They should better look for other options. Greetings from Serbia, we are looking for prosperity not decline, sorry, but not interested in it any more ❤️

[@P4NT5U]

Update: Georgia got EU candidate status few days ago

[@arranadams2776]

Love this channel

[@diarmaidmoloney5611]

As someone that recently visited Bosnia and Montenegro the fact Montenegro has the Euro and also has stronger cultural links with current EU countries, it's the only one I think would fit with the EU. The biggest issue with Montenegro is its debt from building a vanity road project to nowhere significant as they ran out of money. It was built by the Chinese and the debt it has with China could be something that holds them back. The road project even though it was never finished cost over 1 billion Euro in a country with only a population of 600,000 people.

[@serbianwarrior385]

Montenegro has strongest Serbian cultural links with 40% Serbian population. They aint joining EU

[@Signe0184]

Yes, I can see some links, but by reading the European Commission report (Montenegro 2022) the chances are slim. The country has many opened chapters with "limited progress". It takes much more than just culture and tourism for a country to join the EU.

[@user-pc2jp2yr3c]

@@Signe0184 The Serbs like the way that Russia does business with "special military operations" they do not like NATO or the E.U.

[@Signe0184]

@@user-pc2jp2yr3c not quite, it is a plain generalisation and not every Serb thinks like that. But yes NATO is generally unpopular because of the war in 1999. Many Serbs did not know what was happening in Kosovo, and NATO bombed northern Serbia which led to many civilian deaths. Also propaganda against NATO was very strong and it is still hard to change that narrative. The EU is becoming less popular as well, that is true, which is again affected by limited freedom of speech and the main political party's propaganda and influence. But there are Serbs who would like to join the EU, and I think that even more Serbs would change their negative opinion regarding the EU if the current government and political parties start focusing on it. It became a subject that was pushed aside.

[@cesruhf2605]

thats why you don't let china

[@ivan_matvichuk]

What Ukraine is doing is simply incredible! Many of the candidate countries are not at war and do not suffer losses in the economy and many other sectors of the country, I believe that Ukraine will be ready to join the EU in 2030, there is a lot to do, but we have already taken the first full-fledged steps towards the EU, it remains only to end the war and reform the economy, and then the path to the EU will be open for us! 🇺🇦🇪🇺

[@noname-mh1zv]

Ukraine is USA's corrupted little puppet money laundering machine of a country, it will never join EU/NATO as USA has no need for it.

[@lemonid]

With all due respect, this is highly unlikely

[@billy-bo_]

7:39 It's NORTH Macedonia!!!!!!! 7:21

[@Just__Paul]

You made a factual mistake at 3:49 - Montenegro was not a member of NATO until 2017, after they had been granted EU candidate status.

[@markojovanovski3372]

Same with Macedonia in 2020

[@lukailic4932]

This is nonsense. The European Union, after so many years, supposedly cares about so-called European values. It's purely geopolitics. Does anyone really believe that back in 2007, Bulgaria and Romania had met all the requirements and brought their judiciary and healthcare to the level of, for example, Germany? Of course not. In this example, you have countries like North Macedonia and Montenegro, whose geopolitical issues were resolved by joining the NATO alliance. Now, of course, there's no rush to admit them to the EU. EU expansion will only happen when powerful member states realize they're overloaded with migrants from the Middle East and Africa, and they'll try to offset the lack of labor with skilled workers from the Western Balkans. The most amusing part is the potential entry of Ukraine into the EU. The country is in a general state of war, basic laws are not functioning, and overnight they became a candidate. It's straightforward - it's all about hidden interests and geopolitics dictating historical trends.

[@SylviaSanchez]

North Macedonia is essentially broken. It's extremely poor, huge corruption, the infrastructure is falling apart (for instance, their hospitals don't have doctors or nurses). There's still a lot to be done there.

[@brb4903]

dude u for real? u think the requirement to enter the EU is to be like Germany?

[@rajm2626]

Accurate reply, and you're very beautiful btw 😍

[@groovejet]

- I agree with the analysis on Montenegro. - With regards to the other Balkan nations, It wouldn't make sense to not split the application of all 3 countries within the Open Balkans initiative as they are making joined efforts in reforms. It seems valuable enough to keep it is a sub-political union like the Benelux, Baltic Assembly or Nordic Counsil. Purely based on timing, it would make sense to add the countries of Open Balkans before Bosnia, unless Bonsia joins the Open Balkan. (they weren't a big fan of admission) - With regards to Ukraine and Georgia I wouldn't try to push it. The EU isn't ready (yet) for dealing with the aftermath (or an active) armed conflict. - Adding Georgia would only make sense if the "stronghold" could be a bit bigger by adding Armenia as a candidate and by Supporting and collaborating with a more developed Turkic league containing Turkey, Kazachstan and Azerbeidjan. It would also help in finding a new balance in the relationship with Turkey. I think they also wouldn't mind that scenario themselves. In any case, as said in many TLDR videos before: The EU should, in parallel with the expansion, have some internal reforms, like a.o. (1) removing the Veto right (which blocked the admission of Roemania and Bulgaria to Shengen - If border control isn't up to par, like the Austrians or Dutch say, then make joint investment in those countries so that it can be. That is what European coöperation should look like.- ), (2) Updating the representative number within the EU parliament, (3) strengthening a EU joined defense that is more independent from NATO and (4) finding a way to handle the representation of regions that are in current EU countries, but want to reshape. (e.g. a method to handle a situation like the split of Czecho-Slowakia, but within a context of the European union. Basically a playbook where both parts can keep their membership without re-applying, with some strict rules about non-violence, guaranteeing rights for ethnic or linguistic minorities, etc, ...)

[@peterfireflylund]

The veto shouldn’t be removed, it should just require more than one country (two or three) and those countries should represent 5-10% of the EU population. There are lots of stupid Southern European ideas that absolutely must stay blocked!

[@gaabbyyyyyy]

Romania is not on balkan migration route , as for Bulgaria when they push back the migrants they have abuse acusations. Meanwhile 100k of migrants arive in Lampadusia in Italy and Ceuta in Spain

[@serbianwarrior385]

Montenegro has huge Serbian population and we can make chaos in Montenegro so no they aint joining EU anytime soon

[@heyhonpuds]

Definitely not the U.K. that's for sure

[@rain-cy6ve]

I would rather expect Scotland to get independent and rejoin before the UK would

[@Ceiteach.O.Duibhir]

​@@rain-cy6vethat's not gonna happen as long as nationalism is at an all time low & the country itself is a mess

[@nikhilPUD01]

Papau new guinea for sure.

[@alexpotts6520]

The UK just needs to get into a position where it has the political will to rejoin. So far there is regret over leaving but that's not quite the same thing - for the moment the issue is stuck in the pile of "too hard, and we have other problems to deal with". But once we've got over that hump, we should be able to speed through the chapters much more quickly than other countries, because we've already been aligned with the EU whilst in it, and tbh haven't diverged that radically since leaving (mostly we've just ended up creating extra paperwork for ourselves, which is ironic for all those "cut Brussels red tape" guys).

[@ChristiaanHW]

@@alexpotts6520 the problem is that in order to get trade deals with other countries the UK is willing to relax their standards (for example allowing foods from the USA that are banned in the EU). so the longer they are on their own the more they will drift from the EU rules. and the EU has said that they won't make any "special deals" with prospected members, so the UK will have to accept the EURO and full Schengen, and those are a big pill to swallow for the British people, especially the ones that voted for Brexit. so it might take a lot more effort for the UK to rejoin the EU than they think/hope it will be.

[@ChaosLukas9000]

I'm having the biggest deja vu watching this... i've seen this before, sitting at the same table, eating the same dinner...

[@BeesKneesBenjamin]

We kinda need a system to kick countries out rather than expanding, or maybe there should be conciderations seperating the union into cultural regions and corporate that way when it comes to social questions (like a central/eastern, western and southern union) it's getting too inhomogeneous to keep people facing into the same direction

[@tomlangford1999]

Brexit was the greatest advert for EU membership they could have ever hoped for

[@apveening]

Next to the ruSSian invasion of Ukraine.

[@VMF-rj8qo]

​@@Besthinktwice Reform the EU and lay down specific tiers of integration. There's already differences but not well defined. That way countries that want to integrate further can do so and countries that don't can stay that way, while all are still in the same organization. If this was already the case the UK might have never left and kept its involvement with the EU mostly economical, while the rest of western europe could be much more integrated than it is now, delegating more and more to a central eu governament.

[@Shadowguy456234]

I live in Switzerland - trust me, at least here that was not the lesson taken home.

[@doonhamer252]

​​@@VMF-rj8qothey should roll back the powers to that of what was the EEC.. Taxation and Red Tape by Multi overlapping governments are sucking the life blood out both business and the worker.

[@brb4903]

what?@@Shadowguy456234

[@roberthoyt7921]

Once all criteria is met, bring them all in.

[@theanarkiddie4569]

3:45 “within three years of their application” whilst showing a graph displaying the opposite, showing gaps of up to 12 years in Turkey’s case

[@paul1979uk2000]

Assuming that any new country can join by 2030-35, that's likely enough time to allow enough of the current eastern EU members to have closed the gap with western EU countries for them to not be as much of a burden, some could even be paying in the EU pot by then, that should help to make it easier to bring in new countries. But for me, money isn't the real issue and isn't really the selling point of why countries should want to join the EU, the best reasons are stability, security, rules change, all of which will create a lot of economic growth, that's far more important than hand-outs from the EU to those countries, as it will create a lot of stability which will in time bring in a lot of inwards investment. The real problem I find is the EU institutions, major reforms are needed before the EU can expend, especially on veto and majority voting rules, and until those reforms are done, I don't think it's wise for the EU to allow any new country to join, I also think if some countries become stubborn on trying to stop reforms, a core group of EU countries should find a way to go ahead and do the reforms in areas that they can, either way, it's crazy for any EU country to think things can stay as it is, because even thought it's working, it's creaking under its own weight, reforms should have been done years ago but now it's becoming urgent. Regardless of how reforms or the attempt to reform the EU goes over the coming years, I see no reason why the EU and its countries can't create closer relations with the countries that want to join, the more hope giving to the countries that want to join, the more likely they will reform themselves, so that they are in a better position to join the EU, that would be a win-win for both sides, the countries wanting to join will have better economic growth and EU countries will have richer, more stable trading partners on its door. As for the candidate countries wanting to join the EU, there isn't really a thing of fast tracking countries into the EU, apart from what the country in question does when it comes to reforms, in other words, the quicker they do the reforms needed to join, the sooner they likely can join, we've seen that play out over many decades where some countries take much longer then others to joins, whiles some join far sooner because they do the changes needed, ironically, Ukraine might find it much easier politically to do the reforms because of the war that's going on, after all, you would have to be a bold positions to go against any of the needed reforms with how strong public support, political support and the impact the war is having, which could speed up the process a lot more than in other countries that keep going back and forth.

[@NeroPiroman]

Montenegro is in fact not run by a caretaker government for more then a month now

[@juanpabloperezgomez4349]

I'd bet for Montenegro to join first, maybe in tandem with Albania, and if it all goes swell also Serbia and Kosovo, all of them in a big Balkan package.

[@Wozza365]

North Macedonia would probably get in there at the same time as well. I think it would be a solid trio if they can be brought in at the same time.

[@kenster8270]

Albania is currently run as a de-facto mafia state, so it would require a massive (almost miraculous!) societal transformation for them to catch up with Montenegro. I think North Macedonia will catch up faster than Albania.

[@milostomic8539]

Nope.Serbia is blackmailed to recognize Kosovo in order to one day, maybe, become part of EU. We can't do that.

[@oreSimic]

I would say Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and then maaaaaybe Serbia and Kosovo. Speaking from lived experiences in Serbia, and with a few friends from Kosovo, the whole thing is an ugly frozen conflict. Imagine Cypriot politicians waving promises of retaking the north while aiming to errode democratic institutions, and the same happening in the north. That is what we have now. Even the democratic opposition is heavily fragmented, and organized crime will make sure any reform will go extremely slow. That's not even starting with the horrible situation regarding Belgrade - Prishtina relations. Neither side is willing to give way, and Albanians in Serbia as well as Serbs in Kosovo are suffering with their lives for it. Maybe some day it becomes better, but as it stands, there is so much hatred that if they had a choice between a candidate that gets them into the EU in one week, and a candidate which exterminates the other country's population in one week, they would pick the second one in a landslide.

[@Boredblacksheep]

Small chances for Serbia due to their very obvious friendship with Russia

[@Gilicifer]

One correction, the prime minister you showed for the face of Montenegro's caretaker government is actually the prime minister of the newly elected government that started working this October, we had a caretaker government before that.

[@tedcenaj1789]

Like this, would be keen on more about albania though

[@marcofilipe100]

The question is which one will leave next

[@yashaswirajdeshabattini5516]

UPDATE: Georgia received European Union Candidate status yesterday!!!!

[@mariannastase5373]

Upcoming local elections in Moldova? Those already happened like 3 weeks ago. Instead you could've talked about how the elections exemplify how Moldova is still battling with oligarchy...

[@guvenakyolekol]

As a Turk I think we shouldnt join EU. We are very different from the western of point and to the eastern point of view. We just should be our own and make a special deals with both EU, Russia, and Middle East countries and be a buffer zone between them. Both EU and Türkiye should realize we are different and thats okey lets just cooperate on our mutual interests and be a good neighbors each other.

[@clivesmith9377]

As a Greek, I find it very sad that Turkey is going through a really bad phase due to bad politics. I hope that's not going to last much longer and all problems will be solved to allow Turkey to move on with the times. I think, what you are saying is the same reason the Ottoman empire collapsed. Culture must keep downloading updates or vanish. PS: "Cyprus must re-unite. We are all neighbours and we should be friends and co-operate."

[@Baddy187]

That sounds good to me. Not only for countries but also for people in general.

[@DoofyGilmore1299]

yeah as a Turk I feel similar to you and liberal Turks who simp for EU annoy me

[@user-jd5zt4of8q]

I wish you in Turkey would agree to create a Middle Eastern version of the EU with at least half-sane countries like Turkey, Israel, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Bahrain

[@guvenakyolekol]

@@clivesmith9377 Yes we have very bad politicians but they are just the mirror of the population sadly and its gonna take at least 3 decades to put things on the track with education and economic wise. And actually I'm a Turkish Cypriot living in Türkiye and I dont think Cyprus should re-unite. Turks were ready there and we did everything we could to end the conflict and unite but the south dont wanna share any power with us any time soon so either we should be independent or be a autonomous region of Türkiye.

[@pathfinder2reality]

First one to join the EU will be Montenegro. That country has no major issues, border disputes and its population is so small that the EU can absorb it without any major turbulence felt. Serbia is not coming anytime soon, since it has a MAJOR border/territory dispute with Kosovo and Serbia is unwilling to renounce 15% of its de jure territory (Kosovo) for ambiguous future in the EU. Kosovo is a disputed territory so no EU without settling issues with Serbia. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not going to EU because of internal friction between its entities. North Macedonia is very far back in negotiating proces so not anytime soon. Same with Albania. Ukraine has MAJOR territory disputes so NOT anytime soon. Moldova, same as Ukraine

[@pathfinder2reality]

@@DunDeeoZ Half of Europe's politicians are right wing populists that were in the same political positions before their country's ascension to the EU. Countries like Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria all have THE SAME politicians like before joining the EU. They didn't lose power! Neither will Balkan politicians. The EU doesn't want countries with border disputes to join and they insist on setting them before joining. That disqualifies Serbia/Kosovo as people there, although willing to join, DON'T WANT to relinquish any part of their territory not even at the prospect of joining the EU.

[@fahimshamsuddin672]

Do prospective member states disclose via the media the specifics of the chapters they want to complete to the general public in their nation? I think it would be useful if the governments had press releases on the progress on the 35 chapters required to be passed to enter the EU. Then the general public can work with government to help complete each of these 35 chapters.

[@ShadowPhoenixMaximus]

Not sure why Moldova would be an issue when Cyprus is already a member

[@milostomic8539]

Why is then Serbia literally blackmailed to recognize Kosovo in order to one day, perhaps, become a EU member? Why was Cyprus allowed to join as a whole?

[@Greksallad]

I believe Montenegro will be next. I welcome our south Slavic friends to the union and I wish them a speedy accession. Together we are stronger 🇸🇪🤝🇲🇪

[@MrThemneboss]

Huge appreciations for the support ! Hopefully, by 2030 at the latest we will be able to join.

[@serbianwarrior385]

​@@MrThemnebossNo u wont😂especially if we know Serbian population is raising and we can stop u anytime we want😂

[@serbianwarrior385]

Sorry bro but Montenegro has 40+% Serbian population and we can stop them from joining EU anytime we want.Montenegro also has huge culture links with Serbia

[@Greksallad]

@@serbianwarrior385 I think we should leave those decisions to the people of Montenegro to decide that for themselves 👍

[@serbianwarrior385]

@@Greksallad Well i just told u that almost half of population is Serbian and many others are pro Serbian.If they start getting too much from Serbia we will have to bring them back to us.Thats just how geopolitics work.They are pro EU but if they start going against Serbs then we can all expect chaos in Montenegro

[@well-blazeredman6187]

It will be a poor one, wanting a long-term subsidy - and it probably won't have considered that the EU will suck its young away (vide Romania). I would urge the EU to consider the security implications of extending membership. If the EU wouldn't be prepared to put military forces into an applicant country before accession, it probably shouldn't be offering membership. Good video.

[@baird5682]

EU is not about military. You join Nato for that. Eu should focus on internal migration.

[@patrickstar5136]

​@@baird5682 EU does have it's own version of NATO article 5. Specifically article 42.7 "If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power."

[@well-blazeredman6187]

​@baird5682 The EU has a clear military dimension to it - both on terms of military production and military operations. Last year we saw the crazy situation when threatened Finland and Sweden were being offered protection by a Brexited UK while the EU did less.

[@serbianwarrior385]

Well u aint putting EU military in Serbia thats fs😂We already have 49th strongest military in the world and stronger military then most EU countries

[@baird5682]

@@serbianwarrior385 sure and russia has 2nd army in the world.

[@sneakyruski]

In the map edit you added 5 countries that aren't in the EU Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San marino and Vatican city

[@valerkand9270]

None of them are "real" countries hahaaaa

[@phil2544]

Are you sure the map has resolution that detailed?

[@khaluu2000]

Yeh well they at least adopted the Euro and are part of the Eurozone so they remained. UK and norther cyprus still accept the Euro

[@spoopymarmalade5529]

@@khaluu2000 what do you mean, UK definitely does not and never has accepted the euro

[@patrikburda]

@@phil2544 Yes it does, Andorra is clearly visible.

[@a_nistorov]

You should have mentioned the North Macedonia problem with Bulgaria.

[@tasospat4919]

Inaccurate statement at 3:50 because North Macedonia joined NATO in 2019 after the name change so that couldn't affect candidate status in 2005

[@Misiok89]

What would be real cost for Ukraine if they would like do reforms as fast as possible? Their country is under huge pressure because of Russian war. Probably if they will go "All-In" into Europe then Europe would have problems in saying "No" and avoiding support.

[@preetjitsingh328]

Ukraine will be the gold mine for both sides. 1) Ukraine has a large youth population that will move west. This will bring back remittance for Ukraine too 2) Resources. They have lots. Agriculture and energy alone would be big; and there will be financial resources coming in into Ukraine as well for these. Only issue is GeoPolitics of Russia and Turkey as well.

[@baha3alshamari152]

Countries in active wars can't join EU or NATO

[@Misiok89]

@@baha3alshamari152 Russia officially says that this is not a war

[@Pizzatime8612]

@@Misiok89so? Who cares what they say?

[@baha3alshamari152]

@@Misiok89 Ukraine says and as long as there's bombing and fighting then it's an active war according to EU

[@zebronshorts2257]

For Serbia is mission: imposible :))

[@user-hr5cd9qj1s]

In case of Serbia, there's going to be quite a few vetoes.

[@CunnyRape]

@@user-hr5cd9qj1s God willing

[@milostomic8539]

​@@user-hr5cd9qj1s The more vetoes the better.We don't want to join EU.

[@cemdenizsahin]

How many chapters Turkey opened and closed before pausing their application?

[@vincentpinto1127]

It's '"brought" to you by'(with the r, and even if you are from the UK; no silent r here), not "bought". And "brought" a new ..., not bought.

[@djordjetomic9728]

As Serbian i hope we never join eu 🤞🏻

[@ems4884]

Good luck with your self-imposed isolation.

[@peter5966]

We hope Serbia will not join EU too ... we don't need another troublemaker like Hungary here

[@djordjetomic9728]

@@peter5966 everyone with different and sovereign opinion is troublemaker this days 😂

[@bambina5604]

No need to worry about that, no one in EU wishes Serbia to join

[@lafabias1876]

As a Serbian who doesn't want his country to join EU, you're 100% free to immigrate to Russia. I hear they have plenty of available jobs in Donbass, they offer salary, accommodation and food, for the rest of your life.

[@mimamo]

The EU needs to put a pause on expansion. There are right now a multitude of issues that it already can't handle, because the bloc is so fractured. One major issue being migration of course. Let's get the house in order first and then think about expansion, alright?

[@rustypipe]

absolutely !

[@wutheringheights739]

There has already been a pause for the last decade. EU should act fast or lose the Western Balkans forever.

[@kljajabgd]

This wave of expansion is starting precissely because of the migrant crisis. Europe needs labour but it doesn’t need social unrest and officials in Brussels have come to a conclusion that it will be easier to assimilate other non EU Europeans that have a proven record of easy assimilation then imigrants from North Africa and the Middle East.

[@torcidasplithr7758]

Correct, but we should accept Ukraine 🇺🇦fastest is possible.

[@rustypipe]

@@torcidasplithr7758 no we should not Ukraine should stay neutral with international guarantees Uraine is a black corrupted hole it could be a cause for collapsing the EU.

[@draganmarkovic4827]

"I believe that after the EU's reorganization, new memberships will be limited only to the economic aspect, not the political union. This could mean that new members will not have the same level of influence in decision-making within the EU, but will focus solely on economic benefits. Such an approach might reduce the interest of new countries in joining, as they won't be involved in key political processes."

[@MarktYertd]

In my view, I think it would be prudent for the EU to prioritize its economic well-being, focus on economic development, and enhance border control measures before considering the inclusion of a new member.

[@FernandoPerez3h.]

yes

[@stefanolujic9999]

You can’t be pro-kosovo and anti Republika Srpska, it’s the same situation, like Albanians have majority in the region of Kosovo, Serbs have majority in the entity of RS. Why is the west pushing for an ethic Albanian Kosovo and trying to dismantle ethnic Serbian Republika Srpska?

[@polyxwise4052]

Because one of them wasn’t created on the basis of genocide and ethnic cleansing lmao Republika Srpska is a joke and was never a thing before 1995

[@jhngfdsdfgkjnbv]

More recently, the "chief gynecologist" of the European Union, Ursula von Der Leyen, said that Ukraine had passed "the path of democratization by 90% and was ready to join the EU." And suddenly, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, declares that as a result of Vladimir Zelensky's actions, there are practically no independent institutions of power in Ukraine, and expresses the opinion that the country is moving towards authoritarianism, in which everything depends on the mood of one person. It looks like a confession. The whole European Union has been deceived!

[@dariadagsson6612]

love the blue sweater

[@olbiomoiros]

As long as they meet the criteria it’s all fine!!

[@vainoue9173]

praying for Montenegro membership 🇲🇪 i believe that Montenegro will join either on its own or with the UK applying to rejoin, but it’s neighbors will probably join in a bunch a while after

[@spaghettiisyummy.3623]

@@DunDeeoZ Actual free Trade? Then what's Schengen? Why doesn't it count? I'm just confused btw.

[@vainoue9173]

@@DunDeeoZ the uk’s economy isn’t doing too well after leaving, there wasn’t really a reason for them to actually leave. i also think the eu should be used so that other countries which aren’t as well off can develop and integrate into more developed European markets. we can’t be 100% sure the uk is gonna rejoin but imo there’s a pretty high chance

[@eddiecalderone]

@@vainoue9173 The U.K. economy is doing better than expected, all the gloom and doom prophecies were proven wrong. It is not always about the economy, the U.K. will not be joining, why should it? To subsidise other new countries to catch up???? Are you for real?

[@ScottHardy-mv4fr]

EU expansionists are operating under the premise that more members means a stronger and more effective EU. However, any organization is strongest when all members share the same goals and thus 'pull together.' Allowing new members into the EU will weaken the organization, as they will have different values and objectives, and work against what other members are trying to accomplish. On top of that, the EU took a huge financial hit when the UK left, and any candidate states are obviously going to be net recipients at a time when Germany and France are already beginning to resent bearing almost all the financial load. The EU would gain more by a restructuring to stop current members like Hungary and Slovakia from impeding EU goals than by admitting even more divergent countries.

[@thomasmerlin4990]

in the short term you are right, in the long term (about half a century) it is better to have a large territory and a large population, this is because in the future the world will be dominated by superpowers. So the right path is a balance between the two, that is, a very slow expansion, so that every small enlargement does not constitute a shock to the economy of the remaining nations. The first enlargement will concern Blackmountain, Albania and North Macedonia, which together have a small population and should not burden the rest of the countries excessively. The challenge will be the entry of Ukraine, a nation devastated by war, however this nation will enter not before 10 years and in the meantime it is hoped that the economy of the continent will improve and that the gap between the nations that pay and those that receive becomes increasingly smaller.

[@selindenizcebi9952]

If the government will change in Turkiye, they may speed up and end up accession negotiation talks, which Turkey opened 28 and end more than 6…

[@pillepapoe]

I think you forgot to mark Bosnia and Herzegovina on the thumbnail!

[@koljarzg]

I think people do not realize how hard it is from the perspective of these countries to actually join the EU. For instance, Ukraine formally decided it wants to join a year ago. Some countries like Serbia really do not want to join at all (according to public opinion). Half of Bosnia wants in, half does not. Ukraine is in war. Moldova is well, who knows?.... etc... In comparison, look at my country - Croatia - which joined in 2013, 10 years ago - the whole country, every significant political party, every man and woman decided by a political and citizens consensus that we belong and will join the EU as soon as possible BACK in 1990!!! The whole country worked to reform our country to be able to fulfill that goal for grueling TWENTY THREE YEARS without much distractions until we finally joined. And another TEN YEARS for Schengen and Euro. The only county among all mentioned which does not have 2nd thoughts and/or 5th column is Albania, but overthere I do not see the sheer determination we Croatians had for joining the EU. For us it was almost the question of life and death, and regardless, it took us 23 years. TWENTY THREE YEARS! The only country for which the EU is a life or death question is Ukraine, a country in War. And in War, no matter how bad you want the EU, first you must survive, just as we Croatians did from 1990 to 1995. Ukraine will simply have to deal with Russia before it continues on its EU path. In conclusion, I do not see any country joining the EU in the next 10 years. The only hope for them is a plan similar to one Macron proposed recently - a kind of watered down EU - just to keep them going until a leader emerges - the one who will implement a real reforms and bring them into the EU fold.

[@robertgrabowski]

Many people are completely unaware that Ukraine's accession to the EU will be at the expense of the entire Eastern Europe, which will become a NET payer and will finance the reconstruction of Ukraine against its national interests. For example, is financing the Ukrainian transport and agricultural sector in the interest of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary or Romania? Not at all. The case of Ukraine is completely different from other countries.

[@HicHicpa]

well, we did pull our weight to join the eu but that is fairly easy for a country of our size. ukraine has fundamental problems and a history of corruption that croatia, a corrupt country by local standards never could even dream of. overthrowing the government for a pro-eu one that shakes things up resulting in a 8 year civil war with newborn seperatists that ends up in a full blown invasion by russia? yeah, thats a tough sell for anyone looking for any kind of trade partners/alliances. you must not compare the likes of croatia and slovenia where everything leading to and after their independence was decided by referendum with the likes of ukraine.

[@koljarzg]

@@robertgrabowski The people of Eastern Europe are not beggers nor welfare addicts. We are here to build the Union. If it means we will help rebuild Ukraine, so be it. The union will only be stronger for it.

[@koljarzg]

@@HicHicpa You are right, it will be hard. But mark my words, Ukraine will join the EU before Serbia, because it has the will and the resolve to do it - the very things Serbia lacks.

[@user-ou6dr8mt7k]

europhiles are the real fifth column

[@klimentantonov1591]

BG❣❤❣RS БЪЛГАРИЯ И СЪРБИЯ - ВЕЧНИ БРАТЯ ЗАВИНАГИ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@serbianwarrior385]

Thank u brother, respect to our neighbors in Bulgaria from Serbia

[@matejtrupina1244]

I find it funny the olny reason why BiH got candidate status is becauae Croatia made a big fuss about it.

[@perojaksic1575]

Serbia beautiful County and people...deserve more respect...and finally to understanding its people...

[@PradedaCech]

Expansion is always welcome, but I would be most thrilled if Switzerland, UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein showed interest in joining. Also the remaining non-Euro members joining the Eurozone would be great.

[@ShadowBlitz776]

UK💀

[@Rider9530]

Unfortunately Switzerland and UK will most likely never join... The UK just left, and joining doesn't help Switzerland in any way.

[@bestrafung2754]

@@Rider9530 I think we'll probably try to rejoin eventually but it won't be anytime soon. Maybe in 20 years from now it'll happen.

[@Rider9530]

@@bestrafung2754 Maybe but I don't think that will happen any time soon, especially considering that if the UK rejoin this time they will have to join the eurozone and switch currency... I just don't see them doing it.

[@mistrants2745]

Nah man, UK needs to be made an example of unless they are willing to rejoin unconditionally, no special positions.

[@Adyman182]

Without the Western Balkans the EU will always have a very awkward enclave along with Switzerland

[@classicallemur1190]

3:49 "all countries received candidate ... With in 3 years" Turkey didn't...

[@svetlinognyanov5700]

Only Montenegro and Albania have real chance to Join EU in the next 10 to 15 years. Rest of the countries will wait for a very long time if they ever join the EU at all.

[@mrporsche4236]

Every country that was forced to join the eu is not happy. Thats the understatement of the century

[@babschampagne8377]

No country was 'forced' to join the EU. Wtf are you talking about.

[@pablolucianogomezdemayorag4060]

Lets hope disinformation and nationalism do not ruin this for all (be it that of new potential members or actual MSs)

[@sagittariusa7662]

The only way this could work out is if immigration into the EU is curtailed in limiting non-EU ethnic citizens until certain criteria are met agreed by all constituent members on both sides of the aisle while ethnic EU citizens are free to travel about as a resident with certain additional benefits that a non-EU ethnic resident would receive. I would suggest getting rid of ethnic citizenship, but this is the only thing France has going for it over everyone else. It just needs to enforce ethnic considerations upon the naturalization of new citizens, but I would go further and suggest doing the same to your own ethnic residence within your own country and stop handing out citizenship upon turning 18 or whatever age requirement that is necessary. You have to be reasonable and fair. Is it reasonable to have 18 year-olds born in your country or born to people who are from your country suddenly granted citizenship on a whim? No. That is corruption and it leads to accepted sacrifices in the honor and integrity of your country. If you accept sacrificing honor and integrity and there is no legit reason for it, then you are destroying your own country. Is it reasonable to kick out people just because they look different? No. But it is okay to kick them out if they are unwilling to conform to your ethnic culture. You should have a genetically diverse population. People who complain about it tend to be very crazy people who are probably very much inbred like a Hapsburg. They should be ignored as unreasonable people forfeit their citizen rights as a result of their lack of sanity and cognitive functioning. Therefore, you give a time table in which they conform or they leave and if they decide not to conform, then you have them leave. Is it reasonable to just elect someone to fill a position of government? No. They need to be qualified. If you cannot get anyone qualified, then your state shouldn't exist and people who are qualified outside of your country perhaps should take over until you have people in your own country who are qualified. This is the reason why you have politicians who let in immigrants who aren't good for your country. You allowed these unqualified people to run your country. To even be on the ballot. How absolutely disgraceful you are to yourself in allowing that to even happen? Who gives a flying shit about democracy? Democracy should be the ends, not the means. The means should be ratiocracy or a government and/or society structured around reason and committed to reason over all else. Reason is not your enemy. It is the only means to guarantee life stops sucking. But you know, you are free to believe whatever you want and ruin yourselves if that is what you prefer. Freedom above all else even if it bites you back and you lose everyone and end up alone and miserable, certainly it was worth it, right? Right? Think it through and do better. P.S. Christians need to stop supporting Muslims in their country. These people want to rule over you without regard for your own safety or integrity. Over a quarter of them are insane and the rest harbor the same resentment to you just because your faith is different to theirs with no regard for how they behave is being inappropriate or how you feel about being belittled or insulted just because you disagree with them. Tell them the facts about why their religion that makes no sense to you, why their counterpoint makes even less sense and then provide them what would be a sound explanation and inform them if they truly believe in this faith of theirs or was it forced onto them from a young age like the indoctrination that it actually is. Almost no one becomes muslim out of a desire to believe in the faith. They do so for political or economic convenience or because it was forced onto them by their crappy parents. Also, please don't try to convert them. I know you Christians love bringing in more people to the faith, but you do it all wrong. It is okay to champion your faith, but you shouldn't be as snide and decadent as those you wish to convert. You are just proving their point and maybe you should just focus back on prayer and let the people who do have integrity in your church do the talking and proselytizing for you. Just because you believe in Jesus does not mean you actually follow him and it doesn't make you a good speaker of your faith. Conduct is key, not words. Learn to shut up and mind your own business.

[@rastik7012]

exactly what i'm afraid of, already now europe registers rise in far right wave and nationalism, I'd be afraid it will just strenghten after enlargement

[@pablolucianogomezdemayorag4060]

@@sagittariusa7662 see guys? This is exactly what I mean when I say that some of the latest videos in the channel are acting as dogwhistles? These comment sections are looking more and more reddit/4'chanesque

[@sagittariusa7662]

@@pablolucianogomezdemayorag4060 Excuse me, are you calling me a Dogwhistler?

[@pablolucianogomezdemayorag4060]

@@sagittariusa7662 clearly, care to define what on earth you mean by "non-ethnic EU citizens" if not your own definition of "non-white"? This is blatant racist dogwhistling. And unfortunately this channel's latest change of tone is cattering to people spreading hateful rethoric like yourself.

[@aarontschetter1743]

*starts humming Ode to Joy*

[@therealnuggetball]

Would say that Macedonia and Montenegro have the highest chance of joining sooner... The rest will wait for a long time... Mainly Turkey, Kosovo and Georgia

[@drifty2294]

I think Montenegro will be next country to join. It‘s a small country, so it wouldn‘t give much turbulences for the EU. Montenegro also has the euro and is member of the nato. In the last few years and also in the future years the tourism and also the GDP increase much. The biggest problems are the dept and the political issues. Since more than 1 month Montenegro has a new government and it‘s ambition is to join the EU. It‘ll become interesting how the situation develop in the next months. 🇨🇭❤️🇲🇪

[@TexRex6352]

I feel sorry for every country trying to join now having to deal with that green transition category in the approval process.

[@reno.zed1]

I'm up for the expansion, all Democratic European countries that want to join should be welcomed, but the decision making system has to change

[@tjitse3916]

I hope there is a good expansion of the EU, coherency of the important stuff, and no more talking about leaving like the guy who won Dutch election kept populistly shouting about. Most folks are blind to the progress it brings, if not the negative effects leaving has. The EU shouldn’t grow just because of the geopolitical friction going on, but also shouldn’t fall apart because of nationalist/populist ego’s.

[@Kbcqw]

Montenegro and albania i would assume are next

[@KrisoVT]

The EU should first accept Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen before expanding.

[@filipe5722]

The EU institutions already decided on that. It's stubborn countries like Austria that keep vetoing it.

[@Lau2856.]

​@@filipe5722maybe we would accept them if all the refugees that come to our border would be split in the Eu. Romania abd Bulgaria in shengen would make it even worse

[@goenzoy]

Nothing to do with Austria Its a migration problem In Hungary there are 30 asylum seeker in Austria it is 100000 even if they are similar size

[@Lau2856.]

@@goenzoy yes that's the problem. They all instantly leave hungary for Austria. Which would get even worse if there are less borders between us

[@filipe5722]

@@goenzoy It has everything to do with Austria. They already admited that Romania and Bulgaria are not a problem regarding migration.

[@RipCityBassWorks]

I'm surprised North Macedonia isn't closer after thr conclusion pf their name dispute with Greece.

[@fnfethusiast6508]

It’s cause the Mongolians on the East refuse to let us in because they think we’re “West Bulgaria” and that our language is the same as theirs but as a different dialect which is not true

[@goranmekota7540]

If the war resolves with a permanent solution and not a never ending frozen stalemate, I would put my money on Ukraine. Just based on our experience (Croatia) war has a homogenizing effect that can give enough internal push. We had no relevant political dissenting voices regarding EU membership, all sides of the political spectrum had a consensus there, and that also help dealing with corruption, which is always difficult as it goes against the interest of ruling structures. But if the interest in joining is stronger they will at least do the minimum required. War has also galvanised more unity towards Ukraine within EU. At the same time there are usually always anti - EU political forces in most European countries, specially now with much stronger anti-establishment trends in politics than a few decades ago, not enough incentive at the (local political) top to deal with corruption and disunity within the EU regarding expansion. Joining processes are sometimes used as a marketing or pressure tool in international and national politics more than there being a serious push towards the same. I would therefore not be surprised if the post-war momentum gets enough wind into the Ukrainian pro-Eu sails to push them in front of others that have been candidates for longer. Not just because of a fast-tacking preferential treatment that might be controversial, but because they might actually speed up the necessary processes themselves.

[@serbianwarrior385]

Tf u smoking my guy😂?Ukraine will never join EU put money on that because that is 100%