Alongside its comprehensive economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans (see other news), the European Commission published on Tuesday 6 October its traditional annual communication on enlargement (https://bit.ly/34rFGPr ), as well as the progress reports of the six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – and Turkey (see other news).
In its reports, the Commission notes that progress has been made in a variety of areas, while highlighting the need for each of these countries to make progress in the area of the rule of law. The fight against corruption, which generally remains widespread, is a real concern.
While Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Montenegro have continued to participate actively in regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, Serbia and Kosovo need to make further substantial efforts and contribute to the conclusion of a comprehensive, legally binding agreement.
Speaking to MEPs, Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi hoped that the first intergovernmental conferences for Albania and North Macedonia can take place before the end of 2020.
Albania. In its report, the Commission stresses that Tirana has already made decisive progress and is close to fulfilling the conditions set by the EU Council for the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).
However, the country is still experiencing intense political polarisation and political dialogue needs to be improved, in particular on electoral reform and its implementation (see EUROPE 12534/5).
According to the report, the implementation of justice reform has continued in a consistent manner, leading to good overall progress, and Albania has met one of the conditions for holding its first IGC.
Another condition for the first IGC, which has also been met here, is the strengthening of the operational, coordination and monitoring capacities of the authorities in the fight against corruption. However, further structured and consistent efforts will be needed, according to the report. The country has also made good progress in strengthening the fight against organised crime, and significant progress has been made in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention/fight against violent extremism.
Albania is also making progress in tackling unfounded asylum claims by its nationals, with a decrease of around 2.7% between 2018 and 2019.
Furthermore, the overall implementation of national and domestic legislation on fundamental rights needs to be further strengthened and freedom of expression further defended.
Finally, Albania has also made some progress in economic terms, notably with a further decline in unemployment.
See the report: https://bit.ly/36EpY6m
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is at an early stage regarding its level of preparedness and ability to assume the obligations of EU membership. It is expected to address 14 key priorities in its application for membership, with only a few measures taken so far, the Commission stresses.
In its report, the European institution notes that preparations are under way to organise the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and to prepare and adopt a National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis for the EU.
But, overall, the balance sheet is not good. The country’s constitution remains in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, Mr Várhelyi welcomed the adoption of the strategy to combat war crimes (see EUROPE 12568/22).
For most of the period covered by the report, the Parliamentary Assembly was blocked for political reasons, resulting in a legislative delay, and the government was appointed 14 months after the parliamentary elections (see EUROPE 12396/16).
There are numerous areas where progress is lacking: freedom of expression and of the media, improvement of the electoral framework, despite an agreement on a ballot in Mostar (see EUROPE 12509/16), professionalisation and de-politicisation of the civil service, a coordinated approach to policy-making throughout the country, and the judicial system.
The country has also made no progress in preventing and combating corruption and organised crime. “Corruption remained widespread and is a serious concern, with all levels of government showing signs of political capture directly affecting the daily life of citizens”, the Commission said.
On the other hand, Bosnia and Herzegovina has made limited progress in the economic field and is at an early stage of establishing a functioning market economy.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3lj7DzM
Kosovo. The Commission considers that due to the unstable political context – early elections, two changes of government – and the need to focus on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, progress in EU-related reforms in Kosovo has been limited overall.
Mr Várhelyi recalled that the country meets the necessary conditions to benefit from visa liberalisation for its citizens.
In its report, the Commission notes that the Assembly of Kosovo has not improved its overall performance as a forum for constructive political dialogue and representation. Priority should be given to EU-related reforms and respect for parliamentary best practice.
There is also an urgent need to address the recurrent shortcomings in the electoral process. And public administration reform must remain a priority. The Commission also calls for progress on the reform of the judiciary, which remains “vulnerable to undue political influence”.
It also considers that the country has made limited progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime, believing that there “is a need for strong political will to effectively address corruption issues, as well as a robust criminal justice response to high-level corruption”.
While Kosovo’s legal framework broadly guarantees the protection of human and fundamental rights, in line with European standards, the implementation of legislation and strategies is often compromised, including by insufficient financial resources, the report expresses concern.
Similarly, the situation in the north of the country remains difficult, in particular with regard to corruption, organised crime and conditions for freedom of expression.
Finally, Kosovo has made only limited progress in developing a functioning market economy.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3nqpTc2
North Macedonia. North Macedonia, which is awaiting its first Intergovernmental Conference, continued to implement EU-related reforms throughout the reporting period, according to the Commission’s report.
It stresses that efforts have continued to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Opposition parties remained engaged in Parliament and supported key issues of common national interest, such as EU-related reforms and the NATO integration process.
However, the country needs to continue its efforts on public administration reform and to implement the updated action plan of the judicial reform strategy.
According to the Commission, North Macedonia has made satisfactory progress in the fight against corruption, although “a more proactive approach from all actors engaged in preventing and fighting corruption needs to be ensured”. Similarly, progress in the fight against organised crime must continue.
The legal framework for the protection of fundamental rights is broadly in line with European standards, says the Commission, but it calls on the country to adopt a law on prevention and protection against discrimination and to make further progress in freedom of expression.
Finally, North Macedonia is well prepared to establish a functioning market economy, but has made little progress over the analysis period.
See the report: https://bit.ly/2GHsgql
Montenegro. In its report, the Commission notes that the August 2020 elections brought about an unprecedented change in the composition of the governing majority. “The new parliament should endeavour to find a broad cross-party and societal consensus and demonstrate in practice its commitment to Montenegro’s EU reform agenda”, it added, after the Parliament had been boycotted for months by the opposition.
The Commission also believes that, on governance, the country needs to strengthen transparency, stakeholder participation and the government’s capacity to implement reforms.
In its view, Montenegro should also focus on freedom of expression and the functioning of the judiciary. Strong political will is also needed to depoliticise public administration.
Similarly, the country needs “strong political will to tackle [corruption] effectively” and, while progress has been made in the fight against organised crime, some fundamental and systemic weaknesses in the criminal justice system need to be addressed.
Finally, Montenegro has made some progress and remains moderately prepared to cope with competitive pressure within the EU.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3iyys0P
Serbia. In its report, the Commission calls on the authorities, following the 21 June elections, to address long-standing electoral shortcomings through a transparent and inclusive dialogue with political parties and other relevant stakeholders. Similarly, the new Serbian Parliament, marked by the overwhelming majority of the ruling coalition and the absence of a viable opposition, is not conducive to political pluralism in the country, the report says.
Little progress has been made in the reform of the judiciary, regrets the Commission, which also calls on the country to step up the prevention and punishment of corruption and organised crime.
Moreover, while the legislative and institutional framework for the respect of fundamental rights is largely in place, its consistent and effective implementation has yet to be ensured.
At the economic level, the structure of the economy has further improved and economic integration with the EU has remained high.
Finally, while Serbia has aligned itself with 60% of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy positions in 2019, it still needs to step up its alignment efforts, the Commission believes.
See the report: https://bit.ly/2SyxjMd (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)