On Europe's Edge

First broadcast July 2007

Countries in the Balkans, the former Soviet Union and Turkey, hope to join the European Union. It's a waiting game.

BBC Brussels correspondent Oana Lungescu presents the first of three programmes about the problems facing countries seeking membership.

Programme one: On Europe's Edge - Serbia

Earlier this year, the European Union celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. What started as an economic club of six western European countries has grown into a complex union of twenty-seven nations.

Only half of people in the EU want the club to continue admitting new members. It's against this backdrop of 'enlargement fatigue' that Serbia, amongst others, is making a case for membership.

It does so with a suspicion that newcomers are no longer wanted.

Click here to view Oana's pictures for this programme

Oana visits Serbia and asks whether a new 'velvet Curtain' is emerging in the post Iron Curtain era. And is the lure of membership a form of manipulation?

"The prospect of EU membership has been Europe's most effective tool," Oana reports. "In effect, it's been regime change, European style. And the EU's biggest fans are those outside looking in - people in the Balkans, the former Soviet Union and Turkey - all hoping to join the rich club one day."

Series Producer: Michael Gallagher

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