Turkey in the spotlight

Turkey’s bid for EU membership has been high on the EU agenda over recent days. A meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council took place in Brussels on 27 May. On the same day the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee met, also in Brussels.

A key role for national parliaments in enlargement

"National parliaments play an important role in the overall discussion on enlargement policy and in communicating it to the citizens", Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said on May 26.

Cyprus settlement process "well underway"

"Now it is time for the leaders of the two communities to end the deadlock and move towards reunification of the island. I trust Turkey will fully contribute to a solution. The Commission endorses a renewed UN process and will fully support both communities on the island to make the necessary compromises", said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn in the European Parliament on May 21.

Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road to visa-free travel

The EU launched a dialogue on visa-free travel with Bosnia and Herzegovina on 26 May. The aim is to indicate to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina the measures they need to take for their citizens to be allowed to travel to the EU without a visa.

Hope for Serbian reform

"The fragility of the European orientation in Serbia" remains one of the "particular challenges" in the Western Balkans, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said on 26 May.

Continued commitment to Kosovo

The EU is committed to help secure peace and stability in Kosovo and support its political and economic development, as well as progress towards the EU as part of the Western Balkans, concluded EU foreign affairs ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 26 May.

Croatia needs to deliver on benchmarks

Croatia has the prospects to make this year decisive for its accession negotiations, Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, said on 26 May. "Provided a number of conditions are met by Croatia, in this autumn’s enlargement package we will present an indicative timetable, or a conditional road map, for a technical conclusion of the negotiations during the course of next year."

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia faces "ninth criterion"

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia could demonstrate its readiness to undertake negotiations by meeting the eight key priorities that the EU has set for it, Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, said on 26 May.

Croatia and Montenegro share in EU Mediterranean regional programme

Croatia and Montenegro are included in the European Union’s "Mediterranean Programme 2007-2013", announced on 20 May. The programme is worth around €256 million and aims to strengthen the region’s economy in order to ensure growth and employment for future generations.

Enlargement website of the European Commission