The right direction

The march of the Balkans and of Turkey towards the European Union continues. A number of countries, that include Croatia and Macedonia, “step up their pace”, while others, Turkey in particular, “still ought to implement a number of reforms”. However, the path leading to adhesion is open to all.Enlargement “is good” for the EU. On November 5 the Commission adopted the annual strategy documents concerning enlargement, underlining its “fundamental role in the framework of the Union’s strategic interests in terms of stability, security and conflict prevention”. According to Commissioner Olli Rein, the border’s enlargement – that in recent years has brought to the surface several problems concerning the EU’s “institutional capacity” – has helped “increase prosperity and growth opportunities, stepping up contacts with crucial energy and transportation pathways and “conferring greater importance to the Community in the global arena”. Croatia on the right path. Brussels has urged the interested countries to step up reforms and “comply with all the conditions” granting EU adhesion. The Finnish Commissioner highlighted the cases of Croatia and Turkey. He explained that in the case of Zagreb, the final state of negotiations (undertaken in October 2005) “might reach completion by 2009”. To date, out of the 35 files regarding adhesion negotiations, 21 were opened and 4 were completed. Rein added: “The roadmap that is being submitted for Croatia is a tool aimed at giving further impetus to the country along the path of the reforms. In this moment everything depends on Croatia”. Turkey and Macedonia: small steps. The attitude towards Ankara is more demanding: “the pace of the negotiations with Turkey”, undertaken in 2005 (8 files opened and one completed), will continue reflecting the pace of the reforms undertaken in the country”. “Turkey has a capital strategic importance for the Union – declared the Commissioner in charge -. At domestic level, the Country experienced political tensions in 2008. However, the time has come to give new thrust to the reforms”. Also Macedonia was granted “candidacy” status three years ago. It “made remarkable progress in the field of the judiciary and as relates to the compliance of provisions envisaged in the Stabilization and Association Agreement” (SAA), while “increasing efforts for multi-ethnic democracy”. However, “free and democratic elections” still need to be implemented in the Country. Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina. After having illustrated the situation of the three candidate States, (for which the EU budget allocates consistent “pre-adhesion funds”) Commissioner Rein examined relations with the other Balkan states. He underlined reform progresses made in Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina although “these Countries still need to consolidate the Rule of the Law”. Albania – according to the SAA 2006 agreement – “ought to implement fair procedures in view of 2009’s political elections”. Montenegro (SAA 2007 agreement) “will need to continue the reform of its judicial system”. While Bosnia-Herzegovina, that signed the association agreement past June, “ought to achieve the political consensus needed for the implementation of reforms, thus enabling the Country’s government to gain increased stature”. Serbia and Kosovo. Also in the case of Serbia, the official process (SAA agreement) for EU membership is recent (April 2008). Belgrade’s government – according to the Executive’s document – is called to “fully cooperate” with the International Criminal Court for ex-Yugoslavia and implement “concrete steps forward” in the institutional and economic fields. Commissioner Rehn underlined that “if these requirements should be met”; the country could be granted candidate status in 2009″. Kosovo is a different question, due to its recent self-proclaimed independence. “At European level, Kosovo is viewed as part of Western Balkans”, is written in the Commission’s document, that confirms the EU’s support to this small mountain region. “On the whole, the Country has preserved its stability. However, Kosovo’s integration is still at the initial stages in a number of sectors”. Rehn explained that in Autumn 2009, the Commission would present a “survey identifying best practices for the political and social-economic development” of Kosovo, thus “enabling its progress” towards EU membership.