The brutal and turbulent history of several of these countries, particularly in the Balkans, has strengthened their conviction that they would be free of both the expansionist tendencies of their neighbours and the influence of Russia if they were sheltered under the umbrella of the European Union.
Istoria brutală şi turbulentă a câtorva dintre aceste state, în special a celor din zona Balcanilor, le-a întărit convingerea că ar scăpa de tendinţele expansioniste ale vecinilor şi de influenţa Rusiei dacă s-ar adăposti sub umbrela Uniunii Europene.