Iskenderov, Pyotr  <br/><br/>
Is the Balkans splitting the EU apart? 

 - Third Concept   
 - 34(407), Jan, 2021: p.26-27 
<br/><br/> The European Union is going through a serious internal crisis over the prospects of its further expansion, with the mainline of confrontation running between Paris and Berlin. On October 15, France, backed by Denmark and the Netherlands, blocked the EU’s decision to start negotiations concerning the admission of Albania and Northern Macedonia. Germany and other EU members opposed the move as unfounded, citing previous decisions by the European Commission. This split at the very top of the 28-member bloc could seriously undermine its status in the eyes of the Balkan states, and force them to shift their foreign policy priorities and possibly turn towards Russia and its integration mechanisms. – Reproduced