Croatia’s "significant progress" recorded at Accession Conference

The EU and Croatia formally closed five negotiation chapters at the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference with Croatia at ministerial level in Brussels on 19 December, and opened one chapter. Bruno Le Maire, France’s State Secretary for European Affairs, said that despite problems with one EU member state over borders, Croatia had made significant advances.

Turkey and EU open two more chapters in accession negotiations

Two new chapters were opened in accession negotiations with Turkey at a ministerial conference on 18 December - on free movement of capital, and on information society and media.

Stronger links with Serbian civil society organisations

On 15-16 December, a delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee went to Belgrade to present the opinion it had adopted on "EU-Serbia relations: the role of civil society". The delegation, led by Seppo Kallio, vice-president of the committee, met Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic and other political authorities, as well as civil society organisations.

Kosovo* benefits from EU budget for 2009

Kosovo* is one of the particular beneficiaries of the 2009 general EU budget, finally adopted on 18 December at second reading in the European Parliament. The overall sum committed is just under €134 billion, or 1.03 % of total EU gross national income. *Under UNSCR 1244/1999

Czech Presidency’s plans for enlargement

The Czech Republic has taken over the rotating six-month Presidency of the European Council on 1 January. It has formulated its priorities under the motto "A Europe Without Barriers", and has promised that external relations will be one of its key action areas, with a focus on "developing the "Eastern Partnership" and continuing the integration of the countries in the Western Balkans", according to Czech Prime Minister Topolánek.

EP appeal to Turkey on Leyla Zana

Members of the European Parliament sent a letter of protest to the Turkish Prime Minister and Minister of Justice on 18 December, condemning the sentence handed down by a court on 4 December to politician and Sakharov Prize Winner Leyla Zana. On 4 December, a Turkish court sentenced her to ten years in prison.

For further information:

Site of DG Enlargement