waz.euobserver
ZELJKO PANTELIC
Today @ 09:55 CET
"The EU's enlargement process has gained new momentum since the [European] Commission adopted its last progress reports, notwithstanding the many other challenges the Union faces."
These are the opening words of the European Commission's Enlargement Strategy, which will be officially presented next Wednesday (10 November) together with the progress reports for the Western Balkan counties, Turkey and Iceland. WAZ.EUobserver has seen the report in advance.
Today @ 09:55 CET
"The EU's enlargement process has gained new momentum since the [European] Commission adopted its last progress reports, notwithstanding the many other challenges the Union faces."
These are the opening words of the European Commission's Enlargement Strategy, which will be officially presented next Wednesday (10 November) together with the progress reports for the Western Balkan counties, Turkey and Iceland. WAZ.EUobserver has seen the report in advance.
"Enlargement needs to remain credible for all involved, aspirant countries and member states," says the paper, the most important annual commission document on enlargement.
Recognising the progress made in the candidate countries, the commission highlighted that, in some Western Balkan states, the momentum for reform has slowed down.
"All need to focus on good governance, improving the rule of law, speeding up economic reform and improving their capacity to adopt and implement the acquis. Several complex problems remain, including the governance of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the name question concerning the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Open bilateral issues remain and differences over Kosovo's status have held up regional co-operation," the strategy underlined.
Visa liberalisation in the Western Balkan countries is cited as a good example of what the EU calls its policy of "conditionality" - making steps on the road to membership dependent on the respective country's concrete achievements.
The Lisbon Treaty had helped the EU increase its weight on the global scene, the commission said: "The EU's role in the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Kosovo is an example of this potential. In a world where emerging powers are playing an increasing role, enlargement gives the EU greater weight and strengthens its voice."
The authors of the report also voiced serious concern about freedom of expression and the media.
"In several Western Balkan countries, threats and physical attacks against journalists continued. In some countries, defamation remains a criminal offence and subject to disproportionately high fines. In several countries, political interference with the independence of the media, including public service broadcasters, is a problem. Editorial independence is undermined by undue political and economic pressures," the document warned, asking candidate countries to address the issues as a matter of urgency.
Reconciliation and regional co-operation are named as key elements for the stability of the region and a stepping stone for progress towards EU membership: "Open bilateral issues, including border disputes, need to be solved by the parties concerned in a good neighbourly spirit and taking into account overall EU interests. Bilateral issues should not be brought to the table of accession negotiations."
On the economic front, Kosovo and Macedonia have been less badly hit by the global crisis since they are less dependent on exports and their domestic markets have kept up well. Croatia and Serbia, which are more integrated into the global market, were heavily affected.
Montenegro was severely hit due to its dependence on external financing. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the impact of the crisis has been exacerbated by pro-cyclical fiscal policies with a high share of subsidies and social transfers in the budget.
The commission demands that visa requirements should be lifted for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, adding that Kosovo has paved the way for negotiations about a visa-waiver scheme by committing itself to re-admission of its citizens.
Regarding Croatia, the paper confirms that Zagreb has made steady progress towards meeting the criteria for EU membership and already fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria. The last two obstacles are posed by shortcomings in judicial and competition matters.
The commission has asked for a convincing track record on independence and efficiency of the judiciary and full cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. It said that, in terms of competition, Croatia needs to adopt restructuring plans for shipyards, in line with the acquis.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to meet some political criteria but the country needs to make further progress in terms of dialogue among its political actors, the judiciary and public administration reform. It also needs to step up its fight against corruption, further freedom of expression and improve the business environment. The commission is sticking to the position taken in October 2009, which recommends that the EU Council opens accession negotiations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has made limited progress in addressing reforms, the strategy says.
"Initial steps should be taken, as a matter of urgency, by Bosnia-Herzegovina to align its constitution with the European Convention of Human Rights and to improve the efficiency and functioning of its institutions," said the report.
The commission praised Serbia for taking steps towards reconciliation in the region, in particular with Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also underlined that full co-operation with The Hague tribunal remains an international obligation and a key priority of the European partnership. The authors also highlighted the importance of good relations with Pristina.
"Serbia needs to demonstrate a more constructive attitude towards Kosovo's participation in regional trade and co-operation. It should recognise Kosovo's customs stamps and strengthened cooperation with the Eulex rule of law mission," it said.
Recognising the progress made in the candidate countries, the commission highlighted that, in some Western Balkan states, the momentum for reform has slowed down.
"All need to focus on good governance, improving the rule of law, speeding up economic reform and improving their capacity to adopt and implement the acquis. Several complex problems remain, including the governance of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the name question concerning the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Open bilateral issues remain and differences over Kosovo's status have held up regional co-operation," the strategy underlined.
Visa liberalisation in the Western Balkan countries is cited as a good example of what the EU calls its policy of "conditionality" - making steps on the road to membership dependent on the respective country's concrete achievements.
The Lisbon Treaty had helped the EU increase its weight on the global scene, the commission said: "The EU's role in the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Kosovo is an example of this potential. In a world where emerging powers are playing an increasing role, enlargement gives the EU greater weight and strengthens its voice."
The authors of the report also voiced serious concern about freedom of expression and the media.
"In several Western Balkan countries, threats and physical attacks against journalists continued. In some countries, defamation remains a criminal offence and subject to disproportionately high fines. In several countries, political interference with the independence of the media, including public service broadcasters, is a problem. Editorial independence is undermined by undue political and economic pressures," the document warned, asking candidate countries to address the issues as a matter of urgency.
Reconciliation and regional co-operation are named as key elements for the stability of the region and a stepping stone for progress towards EU membership: "Open bilateral issues, including border disputes, need to be solved by the parties concerned in a good neighbourly spirit and taking into account overall EU interests. Bilateral issues should not be brought to the table of accession negotiations."
On the economic front, Kosovo and Macedonia have been less badly hit by the global crisis since they are less dependent on exports and their domestic markets have kept up well. Croatia and Serbia, which are more integrated into the global market, were heavily affected.
Montenegro was severely hit due to its dependence on external financing. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the impact of the crisis has been exacerbated by pro-cyclical fiscal policies with a high share of subsidies and social transfers in the budget.
The commission demands that visa requirements should be lifted for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, adding that Kosovo has paved the way for negotiations about a visa-waiver scheme by committing itself to re-admission of its citizens.
Regarding Croatia, the paper confirms that Zagreb has made steady progress towards meeting the criteria for EU membership and already fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria. The last two obstacles are posed by shortcomings in judicial and competition matters.
The commission has asked for a convincing track record on independence and efficiency of the judiciary and full cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. It said that, in terms of competition, Croatia needs to adopt restructuring plans for shipyards, in line with the acquis.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to meet some political criteria but the country needs to make further progress in terms of dialogue among its political actors, the judiciary and public administration reform. It also needs to step up its fight against corruption, further freedom of expression and improve the business environment. The commission is sticking to the position taken in October 2009, which recommends that the EU Council opens accession negotiations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has made limited progress in addressing reforms, the strategy says.
"Initial steps should be taken, as a matter of urgency, by Bosnia-Herzegovina to align its constitution with the European Convention of Human Rights and to improve the efficiency and functioning of its institutions," said the report.
The commission praised Serbia for taking steps towards reconciliation in the region, in particular with Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also underlined that full co-operation with The Hague tribunal remains an international obligation and a key priority of the European partnership. The authors also highlighted the importance of good relations with Pristina.
"Serbia needs to demonstrate a more constructive attitude towards Kosovo's participation in regional trade and co-operation. It should recognise Kosovo's customs stamps and strengthened cooperation with the Eulex rule of law mission," it said.
waz.euobserver
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου