EU says membership is "ultimate goal" for Balkans

SALZBURG, Austria, Mar 11 (Reuters) The European Union said today that membership of the 25-nation bloc was the ultimate goal for the countries of the western Balkans, renewing the prospect of eventual accession despite French misgivings.

''All (western Balkan countries) have in the last year made significant steps along their road towards the EU, with EU membership as ultimate goal,'' the 25-nation bloc said in a joint statement with the western Balkan countries.

Under pressure from France, an earlier draft had made no direct reference to possible future membership. The wording eventually agreed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers with their colleagues from Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia couched it as the objective of those countries.

REUTERS CH PM1757