Brussels, 11/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 October, MEPs from the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament welcomed the European Commission's 2012 progress reports on the enlargement countries. The MEPs approved by a large majority the idea of putting the rule of law at the centre of the enlargement strategy. The S&D Group welcomed the positive message that the enlargement package is sending to the countries that aspire to join the EU.
The rapporteur on Croatia, Libor Roucek (S&D, Czech Republic), was pleased that the country is on the right track to become the 28th member of the EU, and he added that Zagreb's success can inspire the other countries. Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL, Greece) welcomed the Commission's recommendation to grant Albania candidate status, saying that he thought Albania deserved this and that it is necessary to give Tirana incentives.
The rapporteur for Serbia, Jelko Kacin (ALDE, Slovenia), called for the opening of Serbia's negotiations as soon as possible in order to enable the country to accelerate its economic recovery and to maintain stability in the region. He said that Serbia has a unique opportunity to speed up its accession process in the coming year. Franziska Brantner (Greens/EFA, Germany) on the other hand welcomed the Commission's decision not to recommend a date for the start of Serbia's accession negotiations at this stage, as Belgrade has not sufficiently improved its relations with Kosovo. She also highlighted the problem of the protection of minorities.
The rapporteur on Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, Austria) called on the member states to follow the Commission's proposal on the possibility of a stabilisation and association agreement.
Marije Cornelissen (Greens/EFA, Netherlands) asked the Council to put pressure on Greece to withdraw its right of veto and allow the opening of accession negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. She said that is unacceptable that one country can block the progress of another. Rapporteur Richard Howitt (S&D, United Kingdom) welcomed the use of the adjective “Macedonian” by the Commission, which occurred twice in the report.
The lack of progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina is due to the absence of their institutions taking responsibility, according to shadow rapporteur Emine Bozkurt (S&D, Netherlands). The rapporteur on Iceland, Cristian Dan Preda (EPP, Romania) regretted that the country's progress does not reflect the feelings of the Icelandic people about enlargement. (CG/transl.fl)