Building Southeast Europe together

“Much has been said about bringing the European Union closer to its citizens. There is hardly any better way of doing it than a conference like the one today”, said Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in his opening remarks to the conference on "Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe: Building Europe Together", hosted in Brussels by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement on 17 and 18 April.

“Steady progress” in Western Balkans

“The Western Balkans are making steady progress towards the EU”, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels on April 17. “All Western Balkan countries have come closer to the EU over the last couple of years”.

“No short-cuts” to Turkey’s EU accession

EU accession negotiations with Turkey since 2005 "have progressed well", European Commission President José Manuel Barroso told the Turkish Grand National Assembly when he addressed it on 10 April.

Croatia urged to take advantage of “decisive year”

“2008 can be a decisive year for Croatia’s accession negotiations, if the country makes substantial progress in meeting the benchmarks, especially as to judicial and administrative reforms, fighting corruption and restructuring the shipbuilding sector”, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told the European Parliament in Brussels on 9 April.

Bosnia and Herzegovina steps closer to EU agreement

“The adoption of the police reform laws paves the way towards the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next few weeks”, said Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels on April 17.

Rehn "encouraged" on Cyprus issue

"I am encouraged by the strong commitment shown by the new Cypriot government to begin serious negotiations under UN auspices on solving the Cyprus issue," said European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on April 14, after a meeting with Markos Kyprianou, Foreign Minister of Cyprus in Brussels.

Kosovo

“The EU is committed to the coordinated conclusion of Kosovo’s status and its political and economic development”, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels on 2 April.

“Determined efforts” needed by the formerformer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia could demonstrate its readiness to undertake accession negotiations by making determined efforts to meet key priorities.

Congratulations and counsel for Montenegro’s re-elected President

Following the publication of the official results of the April 6 presidential election in Montenegro, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, sent a message of congratulations to re-elected President Filip Vujanovic.

Serbia faces electoral cross-roads in May

Serbia “faces a crucial choice in the parliamentary elections on 11 May, turning either to the European future or risking self-isolation”, said European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels on 17 April.

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