| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2014) 700 final (8.10.14) |
| Publication Date | 08/10/2014 |
| Content Type | Policy-making, Report |
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Over the past five years, the Commission has strengthened the credibility of enlargement policy and enhanced its transformative power by ensuring a stronger focus on addressing fundamental reforms early in the enlargement process. The Commission has put particular emphasis on the three pillars of rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform. In its enlargement strategy Communication in 2012 the Commission introduced a new approach to rule of law. In its 2013 Communication, the Commission set out a framework for strengthening economic governance, drawing on the experience of the European Semester. This year, the Commission sets out new ideas to support public administration reform in the enlargement countries. These three pillars are interlinked and progress in these areas will be key to determining when countries will be fully ready to join the EU. The current enlargement agenda covers the countries of the Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland. It has been a significant year for a number of the countries of the Western Balkans: - Montenegro has taken further steps in accession negotiations. Twelve chapters have been opened. Implementation of rule of law reforms has started. Tangible results are now needed and will be key to determining the overall pace of the accession negotiations. - The opening of accession negotiations is a turning point in the EU’s relations with Serbia. Now Serbia needs to deliver on its reform priorities in a sustained manner as the pace of negotiations will depend on progress in key areas, notably on rule of law and the normalisation process with Kosovo. New momentum needs to be generated in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in order to tackle key outstanding issues and open a new phase in the normalisation of relations. - Albania was granted candidate status in June as recognition for its reform efforts and progress made in meeting the required conditionality. The country needs to build on and consolidate the reform momentum and focus its efforts on tackling its EU-integration challenges in a sustainable and inclusive way. Both government and opposition need to ensure political debate takes place primarily in parliament. - The initialling of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo in July is a major milestone in EU-Kosovo relations. Now Kosovo needs to deliver on key reforms, in particular the rule of law. - The EU accession process with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is at an impasse. Action is needed to reverse recent backsliding, notably as regards freedom of expression and of the media and the independence of the judiciary. There is an urgent need to find a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. Government and opposition should take steps to restore political dialogue in parliament. - Bosnia and Herzegovina remains at a standstill on its European integration path. Following the elections, it will be essential for the country to speak with one voice, to tackle urgent socio-economic reforms and to progress on its European agenda. Implementation of certain reform commitments by Turkey has continued, such as the 2013 democratisation package, and steps have been taken towards a settlement of the Kurdish issue. However, there have also been grounds for serious concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Active and credible accession negotiations provide the most suitable framework for exploiting the full potential of EU-Turkey relations. Opening negotiations on the relevant chapters on rule of law and fundamental rights would provide a roadmap for reforms in these key areas. Following a decision of Iceland’s government, accession negotiations have been on hold since May 2013. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2014:700:FIN |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey |
