Brussels, 09/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - In its conclusions on the Balkans, adopted on Tuesday morning, the External Relations Council approved the verdict of the European Commission in its report on the preparations of Bosnia and Herzegovina to negotiate an association and stabilisation agreement with the EU. The Council indicates that BiH "had made important progress in stabilisation, but still suffered from significant weaknesses". The Council is therefore calling on the country to make significant progress by summer 2004 in the areas identified by the Commission as priorities for action in this context of support, it has decided to reinvigorate the consultative "task force" with BiH.
Welcoming the holding of parliamentary election in Croatia on 23 November, the Council is calling on the new government to make all efforts towards compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and SAP conditionality" in view of the presentation by the Commission of its Opinion on Croatia's application for EU membership. The Council made specific reference to cooperation with the International Criminal Court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the return of refugees and minority rights.
The Council expresses its "concern about the slow pace of reforms" in Albania and called on the government to make serious efforts in the fight against organised crime and corruption, as well as the functioning of democratic institutions and of the administration and the proper implementation of legislation.
"As regards the shortcomings in the local elections of 12 October and 16 November 2003, the Council recalled that the orderly conduct of fair local elections is part of the process of bringing Albania closer to the EU".
The Council welcomed the elections held on 28 December in Serbia and Montenegro, which would constitute a barometer of the will of the Serbian people to move towards the EU and called for continued economic reforms in Kosovo (particularly privatisation). The Council welcomed the census results in Macedonia, which were "in accordance with international and European standards".