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Foreign travel advice Indonesia
FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Indonesia.
Foreign travel advice Romania
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 24 April 2024 Updated: 23 April 2024 Latest update: Information related to drug offences and Romanian music festivals (under 'Laws and cultural differences' subheading on the 'Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice The Gambia
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Ferry services between Banjul and Barra have been suspended until further notice; The Islamic Summit of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) will be held in Banjul on 4-5 May; road closures and delays at Banjul International Airport ('Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice China
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Updated information on flooding (‘Safety and security’ page).
Guidance Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
European Union membership – who’s next?
At the end of last year, the European Union issued an update on the current status of countries presently on the fringes of the EU but that have indicated an interest in joining the trading bloc in the future. Foreign affairs MEPs called on the European Council to grant Albania EU Candidate Status as soon as possible.
They also endorsed the Council’s decision this summer to launch accession talks with Serbia, and recognised steps being made towards democracy in Kosovo. The recent signing of a Re-admission Agreement between Turkey and the EU could also lead to talks on EU membership for Turkey getting back on track.
MEPs reported on the decision of Iceland’s government to put the accession process on hold, awaiting a decision on whether to hold a referendum on EU membership there. Also, a planned Association Agreement with Ukraine remains unsigned due to political problems there.
It is worth remembering that it is likely to be many years before any of these countries join the EU, should it happen at all. In the meantime, however, most of them have special trading agreements with the EU countries, so there are still opportunities to import-export there.