15/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 June, the Foreign Affairs Council debated the situation in the Balkans. As well as “defrosting” the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) ratification process with Serbia (EUROPE, yesterday), ministers also reiterated the main message launched during the recent ministerial conference in Sarajevo - namely, that all countries in the region had future EU accession prospects, on the condition that they respect the criteria. The Council adopted conclusions that specifically refer to Serbia and Albania. With regard to Serbia, the EU27 is launching the SAA ratification process but has not yet requested that the Commission prepare its opinion on Belgrade's request for accession, submitted on 22 December 2009. The Council limited itself to “taking note” of the Serbian appplication, to which it said it wished to “return” but did not specify any precise date. With regard to Albania, the Council is “concerned” about the political situation and overt conflict between the government and opposition. (H.B./transl.fl)