Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The strategy on the 2012-2013 enlargement and its main challenges, which the Commission is publishing on 10 October - and of which EUROPE has obtained a copy - reveals mixed results for 2012. “In some [enlargement] countries there are very good results, in others they are less good than hoped”, a European source said the previous day. The emphasis is on the rule of law and the need for the reform process to be inclusive.
The report notes that Croatia still has to make a few reforms before its accession. Montenegro - with which negotiation chapters could be opened before the end of 2012, the Former Yugosalv Republic of Macedonia, Iceland and Albania have made progress. Although Serbia has made progress, the justice reform is cause for concern. “Bosnia-Herzegovina has to fulfil the basic pre-conditions, which for the moment is not the case”, added the source. The report also summarises the situation in Kosovo and the problems of fundamental rights in Turkey.
With the exception of Iceland, numerous reforms remain to be made in fighting corruption and organised crime, reforming the public administration, civil, political, social and economic rights - including fundamental rights, and also regional cooperation and neighbourhood relations.
Greater inclusion in 2013. In the first quarter of 2013, the Commission will organise a conference on the freedom of expression - “Speak Up” - with media and civil society. From 2013 onwards it will gradually begin a dialogue with these countries on social policy and employment.
The Commission is also gradually going to adapt the economic monitoring of these countries to the strengthening of the EU's economic governance. Meetings will also serve to familiarise these countries with the changes resulting from the economic and monetary union legislation and the new architecture of financial supervision. (CG/transl.fl)