DG Enlargement: newsletter of 26 March 2009

In this issue:

Rehn urges more action for women’s rights in Turkey

"Women’s rights is a major issue in the context of EU enlargement: it forms a fundamental part of human rights and of the democratisation process of any candidate country", underlined European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on 18 March.

European Commission continues to offer facilitation to Slovenia and Croatia

European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn met the Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Zbogar, and the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Gordan Jandrokovic, in Brussels on 17 March, for further talks on how the EU might help them resolve the differences over borders that are now holding up Croatia’s EU accession talks.

Montenegro encouraged by EU troika meeting

The upcoming parliamentary elections in Montenegro must be free and fair, stressed Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic and President-in-office of the Council, at the end of the EU Troika meeting with Montenegro on 16 March.

Presidency visits the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Czech Prime Minister and President of the European Council Mirek Topolánek expressed his support for EU enlargement by the Western Balkans countries during a visit he made to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in early March.

Tough EU messages for Bosnia and Herzegovina

The External Relations Council on 16 March "reiterated its full support to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina" and called on the local political leaders "to engage thoroughly and with stronger determination on the necessary reform agenda in order for the country to make substantial progress on its way towards the European Union".

Hungary-Croatia Cross-border Co-operation Programme approved

Approval for a Cross-border Co-operation Programme between Hungary and Croatia for 2007-2013 was given by the European Commission on 13 March.

Serbian borders with Hungary obtain new funding

Serbian regions along the border with Hungary are to benefit from cross-border co-operation funding through the EU’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for 2007-2013.

EU enlargement pays off - Czech conference

The 2 March high-level conference on "EU Enlargement - Five Years After" organised in Prague by the Czech Presidency in cooperation with the European Commission discussed the benefits of enlargement for financial stability, the internal market and the mobility of labour within the EU.

EU leaders back Eastern Partnership

Moves to consolidate links with countries in Eastern Europe were approved by the European Council at the 19-20 March summit in Brussels.

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