Brussels, 10/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 9 November, the Commission announced several new initiatives within the framework of its enlargement package (see yesterday's EUROPE), with a view to strengthening EU relations with Kosovo despite the fact that five of the 27 member states do not recognise this new state which proclaimed its independence on 17 February 2008. The first initiative relates to visas. Pleased with the progress made by Pristina in the field of legislation on re-entry (inter alia, the development of an action plan for reintegrating repatriated persons), the Commission has undertaken to launch dialogue in the near future on making the visa regime more flexible, on condition, however, that the legislation on re-entry is correctly implemented. In the field of trade, the Commission wants to help Kosovo establish the necessary conditions for possibly concluding a trade agreement with the EU. “Once Kosovo meets the relevant requirements, the Commission will propose negotiating directives for a trade agreement”, Commissioner Stefan Füle announced to the press on Wednesday. Finally, the Commission will also propose the opening to Kosovo's participation of relevant EU programmes, such as Europe for Citizens and Culture. The Commission will propose negotiating directives for a framework agreement to this effect.
Enlargement strategy. Alongside opinions on Albania and Montenegro and individual progress reports on candidates and potential candidates (see yesterday's EUROPE), the Commission also adopted a more general document on Wednesday relating to EU enlargement strategy. “It is in the EU's strategic interest to take the enlargement process forward on the basis of the agreed principles and conditions and the renewed consensus on enlargement approved by the European Council in December 2006”, the Commission underlines in the document. The watchword for enlargement strategy is “credibility”, based on strict conditionality, the Commission states. On one hand, “aspirant countries need to be well prepared through rigorous conditionality”. On the other, “they must have a clear and tangible European perspective, once conditions are met”. When it comes to conditionality, the Commission will continue to give priority to the judiciary authority and to reform of public administration, as well as to the fight against organised crime and corruption. (H.B./transl.jl)