European Newsletter 25 February 2008

EU responds to Kosovo’s declaration of independence

The day after the Kosovo Assembly adopted a resolution declaring Kosovo independent, European Union foreign affairs minister discussed the matter in the General Affairs and External Relations Council of February 18.

Invitation to Serbia "still on the table"

Serbia declined to sign the interim political agreement with the EU on the initially-scheduled date of 7 February. But the EU’s invitation to Serbia remains on the table, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels.

Revised Accession Partnership priorities for Croatia

The EU has revised the principles, priorities and conditions applied in the Accession Partnership with Croatia, taking into account developments since the last Accession Partnership with Croatia from February 2006. Key priorities to be addressed by Croatia include updating and implementing the strategy and action plan for judicial reform; updating and accelerating implementation of the anti-corruption programme and related action plans and ensuring more co-ordinated and pro-active efforts to prevent, detect and effectively prosecute corruption.

Montenegro troika shows "remarkable progress"

The EU held a troika meeting with Montenegro on February 18. Slovenian foreign affairs minister Dimitrij Rupel, in his role as President of the EU Council, chaired the meeting, and told his Montenegrin counterpart, Milan Rocen, that Montenegro was showing "successful progress" since it declared independence less than two years ago.

Criticism for Bosnia and Herzegovina from parliamentarians

Praise for progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina was accompanied by some sharp criticisms at the end of the tenth Interparliamentary Meeting between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on February 4-5.

Slovenia reassures the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Dimitrij Rupel, delivered a reassuring message to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia when he visited it on February 1.

Albanian Prime Minister in Brussels

Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania, came to Brussels on January 30 and 31, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lulzim Basha, for talks on his country’s progress towards NATO membership. He also held an exchange with Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, who reiterated his continued support for Albania and its citizens.

Short-term priorities for Turkey highlight political obligations

The EU Council has updated the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the EU’s Accession Partnership with Turkey, which governs the provision of pre-accession assistance. It says that in order to focus its preparations to the evolving needs of the accession process, Turkey should develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures addressing the new priorities.

Enlargement still high among Commission policy priorities

Enlargement remains an important aspect of the European Commission’s planning. The Commission’s annual policy strategy for 2009, revealed in early February, contains a lengthy passage on enlargement in the section devoted to "Europe as World Partner".

Commission Communication in March on the Western Balkans

The European Commission is scheduled to adopt its Communication on the Western Balkans on March 5. The Communication will outline the next steps for promoting the European course of the Western Balkans region. It will also take stock of developments in the implementation of previous EU commitments, included in the Thessaloniki Agenda and in the Commission’s January 2006 Communication.

Enlargement website of the European Commission