Brussels, 11/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 December, the External Relations Council adopted conclusions reaffirming that “the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union”. Noting that the stabilisation and association process has “made a significant contribution to the progress achieved in recent years by the countries of the region”, the foreign ministers agreed that, in 2008, “these achievements now need to be built on and made irreversible”. The Council also welcomed the Commission's intention to present a communication in early 2008, in which it takes stock of developments and points the way forward on promoting the course of the countries of the Western Balkans towards the EU. In this context, ministers invited the Commission to further explore possibilities to promote people-to-people contacts as well as civil society development.
The conclusions also look at the situation specific to the five countries concerned: - Albania. Albania has made progress in a number of areas but good governance and rule of law, in particular the fight against corruption and organised crime, remain major challenges requiring sustained efforts. All political forces must contribute to constructive dialogue in moving reforms forward, notably in the electoral and judicial fields, the ministers point out, also saying that successful and effective implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is “essential for further progress towards the European Union”; - Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Council welcomes the latest positive developments, including renewed commitment to police reform. The political crisis in the country and the slowdown in the reform process in 2007 nonetheless give cause for concern. After the recent initialling of the SAA, the EU is now ready to sign the agreement, as long as the four conditions set are met, including full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal with Yugoslavia; - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Although the country has made progress, reforms have been delayed because of internal political tensions, which has diverted the focus of the country's political institutions away from the priorities of European integration, the Council deplores, calling for the rate of reforms to be speeded up in essential areas such as judicial and public administration reform, implementation of the police reform and the fight against corruption, as well as in addressing unemployment and enhancing the general business environment; - Montenegro. The Council encourages the country to continue strengthening its administrative capacity, as well as to achieve significant reform results notably in strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption and organised crime; - Serbia. The SAA, now initialled, will only be signed once Serbia has achieved full cooperation with the ICTY, the Council points out. In the conclusions, the Council calls for further efforts in reform, in particular of the judiciary and of the security sector, as well as the fight against corruption and structural economic reforms. In view of Serbia's institutional capacity, the Council is confident that Serbia would be capable of accelerating its preparations on the road towards the European Union; - Kosovo (Serbia). While noting progress made by the provisional institutions of self-government in addressing certain priorities, the Council stresses the need for major efforts to strengthen the rule of law, anti-corruption policy and the fight against organised crime, as well as to enhance dialogue between the communities. The Council recalls the “crucial importance” of further effective implementation of the Kosovo Standards, including the protection of minorities, historical and religious sites. Ministers also consider that resolving the status of Kosovo will facilitate progress in the reform agenda. The Council confirmed that the European Union will “continue to assume its responsibilities in Kosovo”. (H.B.)