Brussels, 05/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 November, the European Commission will adopt its annual regular reports on the accession candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and the Western Balkan countries that will one day join the European Union: Serbia (with a special report on Kosovo), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Montenegro. The main messages contained in these reports are both confirmation of the prospect for each country's accession, as well as encouragement for the continuation of internal reforms and the demand for strict respect of accession criteria (conditionality). Although all countries have made progress in the economic field, there are significant shortcomings in the political arena, particularly with respect to the rule of law, administrative and legal reform and the fight against corruption. The Commission is expected to conclude that, given the current level of preparations in the different countries, their accession remains a “middle to long term prospect”, with the exception of Croatia, which is counting on joining the EU in 2009.
Turkey. The Commission is expected to criticise the fact that political reforms have slowed down since the opening of accession negotiations in 2005 and only “limited” progress has been achieved since the very critical report of 2006, notably in the context of political reforms. Although the Commission has welcomed the democratic way Ankara overcame the serious political crisis surrounding the election of president Abdullah Gul last summer, it does emphasise the fact that Turkey still has to make “significant” efforts to strengthen freedom of expression (notably the amendment of Article 301 of the penal code), control of civilian power over military power, the rights of non-Muslim religious minorities, the fight against corruption, independence of the legal system, union rights and women's and children's rights. Legal proceedings against journalists, intellectuals and human rights activists fighting for the non-violent freedom of expression will also be highlighted by the Commission, which will call on Ankara to “renew the momentum of political reforms”. Another area in which “no progress” has been made over the last twelve months is the normalisation of relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The additional protocol to the EU-Turkey Customs Union has still not been applied. Ankara is refusing to allow Greek Cypriot boats and planes to enter its ports and airports. This question led the EU to suspend accession negotiations in eight negotiating chapters last December. Given that the situation has not changed on the ground, the Commission has concluded that there is no reason to lift this suspension. On the question of the Kurds, the Commission is expected to point out that Ankara has made no progress in the area of cultural rights but unreservedly condemns the “terrorist” attacks of the PKK.
Western Balkans. The Commission will highlight the need to continue and intensify political reforms, particularly the strengthening of the rule of law. The Commission stressed that in all the countries affected, reform of the legal system and the fight against corruption and organised crime should be made a priority. The Commission has deplored the fact that despite the efforts made, corruption is widespread and deeply rooted in society. It is calling on governments in countries in the region to show more political determination in eradicating corruption. Croatia is the country that has advanced most in accession negotiations, but further efforts are still necessary in many areas such as legal and administrative reform, the fight against corruption, minority rights and the return of refugees. The pace of accession negotiations (and subsequently the date of accession) will above all depend on reform work carried out by the government in Zagreb, underlined the Commission. In the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), there has been progress in areas such as respect for the rule of law and protection of minorities, although the Rom continues to suffer discrimination and serious problems persist in the context of legal reform and the fight against corruption. The Commission is also expected to point out that the opening of accession negotiations with FYROM is not envisaged before 2009 at the earliest, whereas Skopje is still hoping to begin negotiations in 2008. In Serbia, democracy must be strengthened, legal reforms are delayed, corruption remains a significant problem but minority rights have improved, explained the Commission in its report. The Commission may also announce the initialling (an autonomous decision the Commission may make) of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiated with Belgrade, the signing of which (requiring the agreement of member states) is still suspended due to Belgrade's lack of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal on the Former Yugoslavia. (H.B.)