Balkan countries

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Serbia, Montenegro, Kosova and Romania are considered Balkan countries. (Photo: www.cia.gov)

Generally, the following countries are considered as Balkan countries:

• Albania
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia)
• Serbia-Montenegro
• Romania

Geographically, they can be divided into the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) and Serbia-Montenegro) and the South East Balkan countries (Romania and Bulgaria). The latter are applicant countries expecting EU membership by 2007.

The EU has launched stabilisation and association processes (SAP) with the Western Balkan countries in view of their possible EU membership. 
Stabilisation and association agreements (SAA) have been signed with Croatia and FYROM (Macedonia).

The future

In January 2003, the Greek Presidency and the EU Commission President invited the countries in the Balkans to apply for future membership of the EU. Croatia lodged its application on the 21^st February 2003 and FYROM in March 2004.  

Links

http://europa.eu.int/comm/exte......elations/see/news/ip03_433.htm