BRUSSELS (AP) — The EU formally opened accession talks Friday with tiny Montenegro, a move meant to reassure other countries that the 27-nation bloc remains open for enlargement despite its deep economic crisis.

Despite the continent’s debt woes, EU membership remains the goal of all Balkan nations that have not yet joined. Croatia has just completed negotiations and is slated to become the 28th member next year. Other western Balkans states — Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia and Serbia — are all in various stages of the accession process. Turkey and Iceland are also candidates.