why are they worried about 'foreigners' coming into their countries and lowering living standards?
they arent.
please stop believing utter bolox.
heres the truth, which you couldve found from 2 mins googling.............
Macedonia
While it has fulfilled the criteria for beginning entry talks, EU member Bulgaria opposes North Macedonia's inclusion because of a dispute over language and national identity.
Albania
Since the Albanian and North Macedonian bids are linked and launching accession talks requires unanimous approval from all EU nations, Sofia's veto has also prevented Albania from moving forward
Montenegro
Montenegro applied for EU membership in 2008. Accession talks, which have begun in 2012, are advanced.
33 screened chapters have been opened, and three are provisionally closed. The biggest hurdles remain corruption, organised crime and the health of the economy.
EU Membership is so far scheduled for 2026 for the small Balkans nations
Serbia
Serbia submitted its application for EU membership in 2009. Accession talks started in 2014 but lingering tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have held up the process.
Kosovo
Kosovo is a potential candidate for EU membership.
Five EU members — Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain — do not recognise Kosovo as a country.
Bosnia
But according to a European Parliament briefing note, "internal political instability and lack of political reforms have dampened the country's prospects of joining the EU."