On Wednesday 29 May, the European Commission reiterated its recommendation that accession negotiations be opened with Albania and North Macedonia.
"These countries are ready to start negotiations”, Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told the press.
The Commission also issued its opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for membership, highlighting 14 priorities that the country must work on in addition to the urgent need to form governments.
In general terms, Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, encouraged the six Western Balkan countries to continue to make progress regarding the rule of law, reconciliation work and regional cooperation, and to address economic weaknesses. He highlighted China's growing activity in the region, stressing that care must be taken to ensure that European standards are met, particularly in terms of transparency and public procurement, in order to guarantee healthy and sustainable development in these countries.
Traditionally, the General Affairs Council discusses the Commission's recommendations, followed by the June European Council. However, due to the late publication of the reports - in late May instead of the usual date in mid-April - the timescale may be too short for the German Bundestag to examine the reports. “I am counting on the European Council to react appropriately so that the required decisions can be made as soon as possible”, said Mr Hahn.
“The fact that we are starting negotiations does not mean that they will be concluded tomorrow”, said the Commissioner in attempt to reassure those countries that are still sceptical about opening accession negotiations. “It is unrealistic to think that any new process will take less than 8 years”, he added.
His words do not seem to have convinced the French. In a statement, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that “the enlargement process must first take into account the EU’s priorities of creating a deeper union and improving the way it functions” and that particular “attention must be paid to ensuring that candidate countries fully comply with the criteria laid down by the Council of the EU”. In his opinion, the process also does not have a fixed timetable, and so requires “significant” effort regarding the rule of law and good economic governance, and the reforms undertaken “must be broadened to achieve tangible, sustainable and irreversible results”.
Albania. As last year, the Commission recommends that accession negotiations be opened with Albania. In its report, it assesses that the country has continued to make progress in its reform programme, particularly in its attempts to achieve tangible results in the areas identified by the June 2018 Council of the EU. Mr Hahn particularly welcomed the “significant changes” in the judiciary.
However, the country faces continuing sharp polarisation in the political arena, including a prolonged boycott by opposition parties in Parliament, who have also decided not to compete in the local elections on 30 June. These parties “should resume constructive engagement within democratic institutions”, the Commission stresses.
To read the report, go to: https://bit.ly/2JOg6w2.
North Macedonia. The Commission again recommends that negotiations be opened with North Macedonia, stating that the country had continued its reform agenda in the areas highlighted by the Council of the EU in June 2018, including in “the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the reform of the intelligence services and public administration”. The report also highlights the fact that well-organised, free and fair presidential elections have been held.
The Commission also welcomes both the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece and implementation of the Agreement. “North Macedonia is the only country in the region that is not involved in a conflict with its neighbours”, said Mr Hahn.
To read the report, go to: https://bit.ly/2XTJYuM.
Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission has delivered its opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership, which was accompanied by a report which, for the first time, examines the situation in the country against the standards that apply to EU Member States. It recommends that the Council of the EU examine its opinion and the monitoring completed in 14 priorities for action in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and public administration reform at all levels, following the formation of governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We have listed a number of issues that need to be resolved in order to allow Member States to decide how and when” to move the enlargement process forward with Sarajevo, Mr Hahn said. The Commission's opinion should be the roadmap for reforms. “Progress will have to be made before candidate status is granted or accession negotiations begin”, the Commissioner added, indicating that Member States need to give the Commission clear instructions on possible next steps.
To read the opinion, go to: https://bit.ly/2WajMio.
Montenegro. While he highlighted progress in several areas, Mr Hahn said the country must implement rule of law reforms in a “stronger and more credible” way.
In its report, the Commission states that the past year has continued to be “marked by a low level of confidence in election arrangements, which must be reviewed in a comprehensive and inclusive manner”. In addition, the political scene remains fragmented, polarised and marked by the absence of real political dialogue.
Montenegro has already opened 32 chapters out of 35 and three have been provisionally closed.
To read the report, go to: https://bit.ly/2HJ78Om.
Serbia. In its report, the Commission urges the country to create more space for genuine multi-stakeholder debate, as a matter of urgency, “in order to forge a broad pro-European consensus, which is vital for the country's progress on its path towards the EU”. While he noted that the country had made progress in various areas, Mr Hahn also stressed the need to implement rule of law reforms in a stronger and more credible way.
Serbia has already opened 16 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters, and two have provisionally been closed.
To read the report, go to: https://bit.ly/2HHYks7.
Kosovo. In its report, the Commission points out that the overall domestic political context during the year has proved “difficult”. So, while the country - which is a potential candidate - has made progress in implementing some key EU-related reforms, including improving the legal framework in the areas of the rule of law and public administration, some ad hoc measures and decisions were not in line with the government's stated reform objectives. In Mr Hahn’s opinion, the country must also focus on implementing the Association and Stabilisation Agreement.
To read the report, go to: https://bit.ly/2KckkwX.
Serbia/Kosovo. In the Commission’s opinion, the countries have continued to engage in dialogue, but they need to make further substantial efforts to create an environment conducive to entering into a legally binding agreement. It therefore reiterates its call for the repeal of Kosovar customs duties of 100% on imports from Serbia and from Bosnia and Herzegovina so that dialogue can resume. The issue of tariffs is expected to be discussed in June at a meeting of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), and also at the Berlin Process meeting in Poznan in early July.
To read the communication on enlargement, go to: https://bit.ly/2JJDkDF. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with DG)