PARIS—The leaders of France and Germany assured prospective EU members in the Balkans on Monday that the British vote to leave the union won’t threaten eventual enlargement of the bloc.
Balkan nations that survived wars and political breakups in the 1990s worry they will face more hurdles to membership as the EU struggles to keep itself together. And pro-Russian forces in countries such as Serbia are hoping to sway the region toward Moscow and away from the West, as the Brexit vote throws European unity into question.
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to soothe worries about European stability at a Balkans summit in Paris on Monday, notably by boosting opportunities for youths from countries that dream of joining the EU.
While the EU last week delayed further membership talks with Serbia, Hollande insisted Monday, “The British decision does not in any way put into question commitments made toward countries in the Balkan region. They will be respected.”
