At the same time, the old trading patterns within the regions are long gone, leaving trading integration among South Eastern European countries at a very low level. More needs to be done, for example through the implementation of bilateral free trade agreements already signed, in this area.
2  BIS Review 72/2004  Another element pointing towards economic and financial integration between the region and the EU is the recent increase in inflows of foreign direct investment. While precise figures are hard to come by, such FDI inflows often come from the euro area.