Merkel: Integrating Balkans into EU is strategic for both

Sounds expensive.

Excerpts from a EWB article:

The EU should revisit the request from the region made ten years ago and think of ways to improve pre-accession support making it more efficient and development-oriented – is one of the conclusions in the new policy brief “Bouncing back: Completing the EU unification process”, published by Balkan Advisory Groupe (BiEPAG). 

“The Commission’s Western Balkans Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) is a positive attempt and an indication of the EU’s readiness to assist the economic recovery of the countries in the region and support their green and digital transition. However, it has become obvious that weak economies in the region will struggle to achieve socio-economic convergence without more substantial EU support”, the [“Bouncing back: Completing the EU unification process”, published by Balkan Advisory Groupe (BiEPAG). ] authors said.

They recommended a substantial increase of funds channelled to the Western Balkans in environment, energy, transport infrastructure where citizens of the region will see the concrete benefits of accession.

They called in full alignment of the Instrument for pre-accession assistance rules and procedures with the EU Structural Funds model.

EU needs a convincing path for the Western Balkans’s accession, write BiEPAG experts, European Western Balkans, 06. 07. 2021:

https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2021/07/06/eu-needs-a-convincing-path-for-the-western-balkanss-accession-write-biepag-experts/

Kniknaknokkaer

Crimea was annexed by Russia whereas Kosovo declared independence, 2 very different things.

Crimea has Russian population, is home to the Russian naval base, and was always part of Russia before Chrushtchew in a drunken stupoer allocated it to the Ukraine.

Kosovo is the historical Serbian heartland and had mixed Serbian/Albanian population before Clinton plowed mainland Serbia into granting it to Albanian nationalists in months long relentless and illegal bombing campaign.

2 very different things.

@Kniknaknokkaer

Crimea was annexed by Russia whereas Kosovo declared independence, 2 very different things

Crimea returned peacefully to the country it belonged to for centures. NATO robbed Serbia of its province Kosovo as a result of a bloody war, with many thousands of people killed. Yes, two very different things.