Brussels, 13/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European foreign affairs ministers will discuss issues of enlargement during the Council on 17 December. Although a decision on granting candidate status to Albania is expected, the ministers could postpone their decision because “several countries have expressed reservations”, according to a diplomat. While a large majority of the states are in favour of granting this status now, the Netherlands - and also the UK and Germany - are reportedly reluctant to give their agreement on Tuesday, believing that progress is insufficient in terms of fighting against corruption and organised crime. “They could recognise the progress but consider that it is too early to give the green light immediately”, said a European source, adding that an indication could be made for a decision to be taken in 2014 - probably during the first six months of the year. Another source said that “there is perhaps a margin for manoeuvre and a possible compromise at ministerial level”.
By contrast, the ministers are expected to adopt the EU's general position, which includes the negotiation framework, for the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia - which will be put to the heads of state and government for confirmation. They could decide on the date of the official opening of the negotiations with the intergovernmental conference. The Lithuanian Presidency has kept open the possibility of 20 December for this conference but it seems that January is more plausible due to the position of certain member states. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is due to present the progress in the dialogue with Kosovo - another meeting took place on 13 December (EUROPE will return to this).
In addition, the ministers might yet again fail to agree on the opening of negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, according to a European source. The Council will also discuss Turkey, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.
EEAS review. The Council will also assess, and is due to adopt conclusions on, the review of the European External Action Service (EEAS), based on the high representative's report in July 2013 on the organisation and operation of the EEAS (see EUROPE 10898).
The ministers are due to focus on the short-term recommendations that can be implemented in the existing legal framework and on the internal aspects of the organisation and the operation of the EEAS. An in-depth assessment of short- to long-term issues is planned over the course of the next mandate of the high representative. (CG with MD/transl.fl)