Alternating pace

After four years since the entry into the European Union of ten new Member States (Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Chzeck Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary), followed by Bulgaria and Romania’s adhesions in 2007, the EU enlargement process is marked by an alternating but irreversible pace in the direction of the Balkan Countries and of Turkey. Past November’s presentation of the Commission’s report on the state of adhesion and association negotiations along with the Enlargement Strategy Communication and the major challenges, gave a snapshot of the candidate States (Croatia, ex-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia-Fyrom, Turkey) and possible candidates (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo) which from today are called to fulfil their formal reform and modernization commitments envisaged by the so-called Political and Economic Criteria of Copenhagen corresponding to 33 distinct negotiating chapters. Candidate Countries. Croatia – Undoubtedly ranking pole position for adhesion; 14 negotiating chapters have been undertaken in addition to 2 successfully concluded (science and research, education and culture) . The political criteria has now been fully respected and from an economic viewpoint Croatia is fully considered as a solid economic market with low unemployment level. There still are delays, however: reduction of foreign debt, tender calls transparency, public administration efficiency, fight against corruption, minority rights, war crimes prosecution. Fyrom – Continues the consolidation of democracy and rule of law begun at the end of 2005, favoured by improved inter-ethnic relations and minority protection. According to estimates made in Brussels, in the short run – despite low inflation – Fyrom will implement the necessary reforms to ensure structural economic stability. International diatribe over the name of the Republic (Greece and a few UN Countries oppose the currently-used name, ‘Macedonia’), whose resolution should occur by the end of the month, delays the opening of other negotiating chapters with the EU. Turkey – Adhesion negotiations began on 10/3/2005. Amongst highs and lows – mostly linked to the recent institutional crisis regarding Presidential election and to the failure of Cyprus’ full recognition- only the science and research chapter was concluded with success. Last year Member States had decided to suspend legal system negotiations. Reforms undergo slow progress, to the point that the Commission recently asked Ankara to speed up commitments on “freedom of expression, rights to non-Muslim religious communities, fight against corruption, women and children’s rights, legal system reform, cultural rights and civil surveillance of security forces”. More encouraging news comes from the economic sector, weakened only by excessive public expenditure which triggers inflation surges. Possible candidate Countries. The only two States which established an Association and Stabilization Agreement (Asa), the first formal step towards candidate-status, are Albania and Montenegro. The Union intends to remedy these Countries’ infrastructure and human resources regress, which restrain the enactment of political and economic reforms, by allocating conspicuous subsidies acting as pre-adhesion Fund settlement. Nonetheless, the relative political stability established in the past few years, works to the advantage of Albania’s legal system’s compliance with the Community’s legal framework. Montenegro: It has been viewed as a positive surprise. Following the Declaration of Independence infact, political, economic and judicial institutions progress at a stable pace. There are however sectors requiring major commitments: corruption, unemployment, energy, refugees’ living conditions. Bosnia-Erzegovina: Asa’s conclusion still depends on the respect of 4 conditions: police reform, full cooperation with the International Criminal Court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), reform of public radio and television systems and public administration reform. Serbia e Kosovo: the current situation is known. New developments are expected. Info: www.europa.eu