Brussels, 08/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - All Western Balkan countries - Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - are expected to one day join the EU as long as they respect the criteria set, EU foreign minsters reiterated on Monday. The EU27 have therefore confirmed the six countries' “European prospects”, saying that this is essential for the stability, reconciliation and future of the region. The status of candidate country should, however, be granted only on a case by case basis taking the specific merits of each of the countries into account. Before being recognised as official candidates, countries should also have proven their ability to correctly apply their Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA).
Serbia. There is nothing new when it comes to implementation of the interim SAA agreement, still blocked by the Netherlands which reproaches Belgrade for not fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). On Monday, the Dutch minister for European affairs, Frans Timmermans, explained to a small group of journalists that the arrest of former General Radko Mladic was not in itself a precondition for his country to give its agreement to the implementation of the interim SAA agreement. “What counts for us is for there to be full cooperation. That's all”, the minister said, specifying that “only the ICTY” can say if and when that condition has been met. Conclusions adopted by the Council on Monday note that progress has been made in cooperation with the ICTY but that the “country must complete this positive development through full cooperation”. Macedonia (FYROM) is called upon to avoid action and declarations that can have a negative impact on good neighbourly relations and promote a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict with Greece on the question of the name “Macedonia”. The Council also states it is very concerned by developments in the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including the slowdown in reforms. (H.B./transl.jl)