In a new version of the conclusions on enlargement, due to be discussed and potentially adopted at the General Affairs Council on Tuesday 17 December, the Member States have made a number of minor changes, notably in relation to the two intergovernmental conferences planned with Albania and Montenegro and the recent events in Georgia.
In the preamble, the Member States should stress the importance of “good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation” within the Western Balkans, which “remain essential elements of the enlargement process”.
Montenegro. The new conclusions should mention the outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, scheduled for late evening on Monday 16 December, which could enable the country to close four chapters.
These closures could bring to seven the number of chapters closed by the country, out of the 33 currently open. Future negotiations linked to the accession process should depend on the reforms undertaken in the area of the rule of law.
Serbia. The Member States should decide on their position on the potential opening of the third set of chapters (cluster), linked to competitiveness and growth. While they write that they “acknowledge the Commission’s assessment that Serbia maintains its level of preparedness on the benchmarks”, they should only return to this “in the event of further substantial progress by Serbia”, in particular in reforms related to the rule of law and bilateral relations with Kosovo (see EUROPE 13536/9).
Albania. With an Intergovernmental Conference scheduled with Tirana on the sidelines of the GAC on Tuesday 17 December, the Member States should add a reference to the results achieved following this meeting. Albania could open the sixth cluster, linked to external relations.
Bosnia. The EU Council should reiterate its call for an “inclusive process of constitutional and electoral reforms, within the framework of a genuine dialogue and in accordance with European standards”, in order to eliminate “all forms of inequality and discrimination in the electoral process”.
Kosovo. In light of recent events in the region, the Member States should reiterate the need for the country to “de-escalate the tensions in the north”, on the border with Serbia (see EUROPE 13480/13).
Turkey. The Member States should simply reiterate Ankara’s position as a “key partner in many areas of common interest”, with accession negotiations still at an impasse.
Ukraine. The Council should add a reference to the country’s initial progress since the first IGC last June.
Georgia. In connection with the results of the presidential elections on Saturday 14 December, the Council is expected to reiterate its “ serious concern” about the measures taken by the Georgian government, “which run counter to the values and principles on which the EU is founded”. They should also note that “such a course of action jeopardises Georgia’s European path”.
See the new conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/etu (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)