The EU is hoping to admit several Balkan states by 2025 but the plan has divided member states. "The EU door is open to further accessions when, and only when, the individual countries have met the criteria," the plan said. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the chance to join by 2025 was "very important as an incentive for Serbian citizens". "We want to make progress faster and, why not, join EU at the same time" as Serbia, Rama said. But Albanian political analyst Lutfi Dervishi warned that joining the EU "is a national desire but it is not a lottery".

Source: Bangkok Post February 24, 2018 01:30 UTC