Balkan EU hopefuls told Brexit will not hit their membership chances

 

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France, Germany and Italy met in Paris on Monday for a Balkans Summit at which they sought to allay fears that the Brexit would harm their accession process.

Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania were all concerned that the membership rules would change following Britain’s rejection of the EU, but their representatives were told it changes nothing for them.

“So it was important to reaffirm very clearly that the British decision does not bring in to question the engagements which were taken with respect to the countries from the Balkan region,” said host French President Francois Hollande.

The six nations are at different stages of membership talks with Serbia expected to be ready to join in 2019. Croatia and Slovenia are already members.

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama said he thought the Brexit would convince EU leaders
that “more Europe is needed.” While the EU divides Serbian opinion to a degree, in the the other five support is massive, at 80-90%.