The EU and South East Europe

The EU is itself the product of the reconstruction and reconciliation that followed World War II and as such is a model for South East Europe (SEE). For the past decade, the EU has been helping countries in the region to rebuild their economies and rejoin the mainstream of European development.

To promote long-term peace and prosperity in SEE, the EU is pursuing a new Regional Approach aimed at building cooperation among the five former Yugoslav republics (including Yugoslavia, on fulfillment of certain political conditions) plus Albania. The EU now hopes to draw these countries closer to the EU institutions through new negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreements (SAA). These aim at developing existing trade ties, reforming political and economic institutions in the SEE countries, and preparing them for eventual EU membership.