Russia and Islamist militants may try to increase their influence in the Balkan countries, if the latest remain outside of the EU, said Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, reports Reuters.

In an article published in Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, Rama said that it was out of interests of the EU to take the Balkans under the aegis of the EU. "If we want to have a secure and stable European Union and with it a secure Europe, it's not good if there are holes. n addition, we shouldn't forget that there are also other, third, actors, who are playing their game and who could profit if the EU leaves a vacuum there. I'm talking about Russia, but I'm also talking about radical Islam, "he said.

The Balkans are pressed between the EU members Greece and Hungary. Croatia and Slovenia have already become members of the NATO and EU, whereas Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania only strive for it.