"In 2007, the progress made in the Western Balkans has been steady but uneven": Olli Rehn, Commissioner for EU Accession, comments the documents that show the progress made by the candidate and "potential candidate" countries, that were published yesterday by the Executive. According to Rehn, "we have big challenges to face yet", such as "the issue of the statute of Kosovo, the democratic evolution of Serbia and the strengthening of the State in Bosnia-Herzegovina". The Commissioner says he is convinced in 2008 the EU will be able to outline the agreements for stabilisation and association with all of the Balkan countries, a step that comes before the declaration of "candidate country". As to Turkey, the commissioner explains that "democracy came out of the latest political crisis a winner". The new institutional situation "should be able to revive the reforms" to more effectively protect the fundamental freedoms, "in particular freedom of expression and freedom of worship, so that they can spread all over the national territory" "and all the sections of society". As to Turkey’s negotiations for accession to the EU, the EU Commission states it is confident further progress will be made in 2008.
