 The Balkan Peninsula (Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro) › Since the collapse of Yugoslavia, ethnic tensions have ravaged the area › Currently, Croatia is an “acceding” member, if their accession treaty is ratified in July, 2013 they will be a member nation › Montenegro, Serbia, and Macedonia are candidates for accession › Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina are potential candidates

 The Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia  The Ukraine and Belarus are part of the EU’s European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership  The program works with nations to the east and south of the EU nations to offer economic aid to developing countries that promote democracy and economic reform  The Ukraine has reached an association agreement with the EU increasing the trade between the Ukraine and EU nations  Relations between the EU and Belarus have stalled in response to the undemocratic nature of the government and potential human rights violations  Russia and the EU have a trade partnership but Russia does not want EU membership, and the EU has questioned Russia on human rights violations recently

 Why was the European Economic Community (name changed to the European Union in 1993) founded? What was its original goal? › To create a climate of economic cooperation amongst European nations devastated by WWII › The hope was that this would help these nations rebuild and help avoid future conflicts › Today it promotes trade but also focuses on environmental concerns, democratic reform, and human rights issues