Brussels, 20/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 20 June, the EU heads of state and government restated their “full support” for the European perspective of the Western Balkans (Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo), whose ultimate goal is to join the EU one day, but carefully refrained from taking the slightest commitment on the timetable for accession. Furthermore, the leaders meeting in the European Council in Brussels urged all countries to push forward with and intensify necessary reforms with a view to meeting accession criteria. It is only by making “solid progress” in economic and political reforms, and by respecting the necessary conditions and requirements that the “potential candidates” of the Western Balkans “should achieve candidate status according to their own merits”, the European Council states in its conclusions. The “ultimate goal” is EU membership, the text reads, as “the EU perspective remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and future of the Western Balkans”.
Despite the strong commitment of the Slovenian Presidency's support and that of several other member states, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has not obtained what it hoped to obtain from the European Council, namely the EU's more or less specific promise to begin accession negotiations as quickly as possible, and preferably at the end of this year. The stance taken by Greece, which is ready to block the opening of membership talks with FYROM until the dispute over the use of the name “Macedonia” has been resolved, as well as the doubts over Skopje's compliance with the political criteria, and the uncertainties about the future of the Lisbon Treaty have all meant that the European Council has taken a somewhat minimalist position on FYROM. In their conclusions, the heads of state simply say that “further steps by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in its progress towards the EU are possible by the end of the year, provided that the conditions set out in the December 2005 European Council conclusions, the Copenhagen political criteria and the key priorities/benchmarks of the February 2008 accession partnership are met”. On the subject of the name “Macedonia”, the European Council underlines the importance of reaching a “negotiated and mutually acceptable solution”.
Neither are there promises for Serbia, with regard to obtaining candidate status. Building on the recent signature of a stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) with the EU, Serbia “can accelerate its progress towards the EU, including candidate status, as soon as all necessary conditions are met”, the Council says. In the short term, it is essential for the next government in Belgrade (currently being formed since the elections held on 11 May) to have a “clear European agenda” with a view to pushing forward the necessary reforms to bring the country closer to the EU, leaders say in their conclusions.
On Albania, leaders call on Tirana to continue its efforts with regard to institutional capacities in public administration, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as in the judiciary. They also stress the importance of ensuring that the legislative elections in 2009 are “free, fair and democratic”. The SAA must be correctly implemented before the country can move on to the next step in its process of European integration (Ed: namely obtaining candidate status), the leaders say.
The Council notes progress accomplished by Montenegro and encourages the country to further focus on building administrative capacity, pursuing the fight against corruption and organised crime, consolidating the institutions as well as reforms of the judiciary. The correct implementation of the SAA is an essential condition for moving forward in relations with the EU, the declaration reads.
The 27 welcome the recent signature of the SAA with Bosnia-Herzegovina, on 16 June in Luxembourg. They stress that this is an “important step in that country's European course”. The country must, however, continue with implementation of the reform process without delay, particularly with a view to “fulfilling the objectives and conditions for the transition from the Office of the High Representative to the European Union Special Representative”.
On Kosovo, the EU27 remain “committed to playing a leading role” in ensuring the stability of the young state, also through the EULEX mission. They welcome the intention to refigure the international civil presence in Kosovo, as envisaged by the UN secretary general, as “this would facilitate the deployment of EULEX KOSOVO throughout Kosovo”. The EU recalls its willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo through a “clear European perspective”.
In a separate declaration annexed to the conclusions of the European Council, the heads of state recall the different initiatives taken in recent times to make the European perspective of the Balkans more “concrete and visible” for the population throughout that region, including in the field of interpersonal contacts (liberalisation of visa regime, study grants, etc) and regional cooperation. (H.B./transl. jl)