EU countries are considering a possible ban on the issuing of visas to right-wing extremists from the Western Balkans, over fears that Russian propaganda could cause new threats, the EU observer reported on July 14, quoting the internal notes prepared for a forthcoming EU meeting.
The talks behind closed doors will also "consider the effectiveness of bans on particular extremist subjects in the Western Balkan countries," reads the internal note that the EUobserver gained insight into. "Many extreme right movements in the Western Balkans have a strong aversion towards NATO and the European Union," reads the memorandum drafted by the new Czech presidency of the EU.
According to the text, "one of the reasons for the increasing mistrust towards the West are the strong relations which Russia has developed with the Orthodox Christian population in the region." "Russia is representing itself as a protector of particular nations, as well as of Orthodox Christian groups in the Western Balkans," it was stated.
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