Brussels, 08/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Here are the main conclusions from the progress reports of the Commission on the countries of the Western Balkans:
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Fyrom). The country, which obtained its official "candidate country" status in December 2005, "is on the right road" to fulfilling the political criteria, although the pace of reform slowed down in 2006, according to the Commission. Measures have been taken to improve administrative management and transparency in public decision-making, but appointments and dismissals within the administration continueto be influenced by political considerations. In line with the European partnership, which was concluded with the Commission, a major reform of the legal system has been undertaken, but new measures still need to be taken to guarantee the effective observance of the rule of law throughout the territory, the report notes. The legal and institutional framework governing the fight against corruption has been reinforced, but "corruption nonetheless remains widespread". On human rights and the protection of minorities, inter-ethnic relations have continued to improve, but the representation of the various communities within public administration is still unbalanced. The implementation of the action plans for the integration of the Roma community has made progress, but the situation remains worrying. Fyrom has continued to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The country has developed its bilateral relations with its neighbours, but no progress has been made on the question of its name. The country must adopt a constructive approach to find a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution with Greece on this issue, within the framework of the UN, the Commission stresses. Economically speaking, Fyrom has made progress in the establishment of a viable market economy. The functioning of the economy, however, continues to be hindered by institutional shortcomings, corruption, excessive red tape and a low degree of legal security. The country has made new efforts to reinforce its ability to assume its obligations under accession, but major problems subsist in the implementation and effective respect of the legislation.
Albania. The country, which signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) last June, must acquire the necessary structures to implement it correctly, Commissioner Rehn stressed on Wednesday. Additional progress will be necessary in terms of political and judicial reforms, respect for human rights and the fight against corruption and organised crime, the Commission notes in its report. On economic matters, Albania has made progress in the implementation of a viable market economy; it has maintained macroeconomic stability and continues to record strong economic growth and moderate inflation. The cleansing of the public finances has also made progress. Administrative obstacles to market entry have been scaled down. Other reforms will, however, also be necessary to allow Albania to face up to competitive pressure, the Commission states. Albania has also made progress in bringing in the necessary structures and regulations to come further into line with European standards. Progress has been made in the fight against organised crime and the improvement of customs administration, competition, normalisation and statistics. For the successful implementation of the SAA, it is now crucial for reforms to continue in fields such as public procurement, intellectual property, the information society and the media, policy in favour of SMEs, agriculture, fisheries and veterinary and phyto-sanitary controls, the Commission continues.
Bosnia-and-Herzegovina. Negotiations for an SAA commenced in November 2005. The text of the agreement has already largely been approved, but the conclusion of the negotiations is still dependent on further progress to be made by the country in the field of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), police reform and legislation on broadcasting, Commissioner Rehn told the press. The Commission's report welcomes the elections of 1 October this year, which "marked a new consolidation of democracy and the rule of law". Nonetheless, the Commission stresses the need to reform the Constitution, in order to ensure that the public institutions are functioning correctly at State level and federal entity level. In the field of economics, the Commission notes progress towards a viable market economy. The country has made progress on the road to observing European standards. "Progress has been made in the fields of tax, the policy of the fight against cartels, transport and energy, and on certain points related to justice and home affairs", according to the report.
Montenegro. Negotiations for an SAA have been underway since 26 October this year, but the country must modernise its administrative capabilities in order to implement this future agreement, the Commission emphasises. Politically, Montenegro has made progress, particularly in its smooth progress leading it to independence. The country's determination to fight corruption and to consolidate the rule of law, particularly by dint of judicial reform, has increased. "In practice, however, inadequacies persist"", the Commission's report continues. "The legal system remains weak, whilst corruption and organised crime continue to be a problem". The country must bring it institutions up to date and redouble its efforts to obtain concrete results on the ground, the Commission states. In economic matters, Montenegro has progressed "somewhat" towards a viable market economy. Reforms must continue if the country is to be able to face up to competitive pressure and market forces within the EU in the future, the report notes. Montenegro has also made progress in bringing its legislation and policies into line with European standards, the Commission notes. "However, the country's preparations are still only in their early stages and considerable resources must be committed to meet the challenges of the introduction and full implementation of the legislation". The report points the finger at, amongst other things, key areas of the SAA, such as the free movement of goods, customs, competition, public procurement, agriculture, social policy and employment.
Serbia. Negotiations on the SAA, which have been suspended since May 2006, will resume once the country is cooperating fully with ICTY, the Commission confirms in its report. Legislation on public functions has been improved and administrative reform is making progress at a good pace. Strategies have been adopted to reform the judicial system and fight corruption. "Overall, the situation for human rights and minorities has improved further", the Commission notes, which also welcomes the fact that Serbia "is taking an active role in regional cooperation". Nonetheless, the country's new Constitution presents a number of "grey areas", particularly in the field of the independence of judicial powers, the Commission reports. The fight against corruption must be stepped up further, and the control of the military powers by the civil authorities needs to be more effective. Serbia must also adopt a "constructive attitude" towards Kosovo. Serbia has made "considerable progress" in the creation of a viable market economy and economic integration with the EU has also moved forward, the report states. Serbia has made good progress in bringing its legislation and policies on European standards into line in most areas, particularly the fight against money laundering and trafficking in human beings, as well as standardisation, accreditation, free circulation of services, certain planks of the internal market, customs, education, employment and social policy, policy in favour of SMEs, agriculture and transport. Overall, Serbia has reinforced its administrative capabilities still further, so that it will be able to implement the SAA correctly. Further efforts, however, are still needed in a number of fields, such as taxation, State aid, public procurement, intellectual property rights, consumer protection, food safety, the environment, the information society and financial control. Serbia also needs to make further efforts on its visa policy, border control, asylum rights, police reform, security services, the fight against organised crime and the protection of personal data.
Kosovo. (Under the aegis of the United Nations, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.) In its report, covering the period from October 2005 to September 2006 dominated by the talks over the status of Kosovo in the future, the European Commission notes that Kosovo has remained stable and progress has been achieved in the transfer of powers to provisional institutions of an autonomous government. Overall, progress has been noted in boosting the role of the parliamentary assembly and its functioning, but more work is needed on reforming the civil service. The judicial system lacks bite and corruption is widespread at all levels. The report takes note of renewed effort to ensure better access to the justice system. There have been improvements in the situation of minorities, some communities, particularly Serbs and Roms, still face discrimination in many areas. The Serb minority in Kosovo still refuses to get involved in Kosovo institutions. The situation remains difficult and inauspicious in terms of long-lasting return of refugees and displaced persons. On the economic front, the report notes sluggishness in the economy, with unemployment of between 42% and 44% in 2005 although the real unemployment figures may be much lower because there is a big black economy. Despite progress in bringing Kosovan legislation into line with EU rules and regulations, much work remains to be done. There has been progress in terms of the environment, transport, energy (even though there are huge problems with electricity supplies) and the police. Public procurement remains problematic, as do intellectual property rights, employment, education, agriculture and tackling organised crime. (hb/dt)