FACTBOX - The Balkans on the way to the European Union

(Reuters) - The small Adriatic republic of Montenegro signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union on Monday, its first step to eventual membership.

But the EU delayed a decision on initialling a similar agreement with Serbia because the chief U.N. war crimes prosecutor said Belgrade's cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal remained insufficient.

Here are details on the former Yugoslav republics and Albania, and the progress of these Balkan states towards the EU.

SLOVENIA

Joined the EU in 2004 and the eurozone in 2007. It is Europe's wealthiest post-communist state and will become the first ex-communist nation to take on the rotating EU presidency in January 2008.

CROATIA

Started accession talks in October 2005 after handing over fugitive war crimes suspect general Ante Gotovina to The Hague.

Pending issues: fighting crime and corruption; improving the rights of its Serb minority; reforming its inefficient judiciary and public administration; cutting subsidies to state firms.

Likely accession date: 2010-12.