2020 Communication on EU enlargement policy

Author (Corporate)
Series Details COM (2020) 660
Publication Date 06/10/2020
Content Type

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 6 October 2020, taking stock of progress in the implementation of the EU's enlargement policy. It provides an overview to the 2020 Enlargement Package - a set of annual reports assessing the implementation of fundamental reforms in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Further information:

The Commission argues that credible progress in the rule of law area remains a significant challenge, which often correlated with a lack of political will. A slow pace in judicial culture continues throughout the Western Balkans region without sufficient commitment to the principle of judicial independence. The overall pace in the fight against corruption has slowed down and the track record in most partners is far from meeting the requirements for membership, whilst in the area of freedom of expression and media pluralism there has been the least progress over the past year.

For the first time, the Commission also assessed the overall balance in the accession negotiations with both Montenegro and Serbia and proposed the way ahead. The Commission confirmed further progress in the implementation of reforms in Albania and North Macedonia. When it comes to Turkey, the Commission argues that the country continued to move further away from the European Union with serious backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary.

The individual annual reports can be found below:

This Communication was published alongside a Communication setting out an Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:660:FIN
Alternative sources
  • https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20201006-communication-on-eu-enlargement-policy_en.pdf
Related Links
Official
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Albania https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1794
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1793
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Kosovo https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1797
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Montenegro https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1796
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on North Macedonia https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1795
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Serbia https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1792
European Commission: Country Insights, 06/10/2020: Key findings of the 2020 Report on Turkey https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/country_20_1791
European Commission: Press Release, 06/10/2020: Commission assesses and sets out reform priorities for the countries aiming to join the EU https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1816

News
EurActiv, 06/10/2020: Commission seeks to revive enlargement with new package https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/commission-seeks-to-revive-enlargement-with-new-package/
Balkan Insight, 06/10/2020: Albania, North Macedonia ‘Should Start EU Accession Talks This Year’ https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/06/albania-north-macedonia-should-start-eu-accession-talks-this-year/

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