EU strategy for further enlargement (2014-15)

This European Commission communication explains the European Union enlargement strategy for 2014-15 and the reports on the progress made by each candidate country and potential candidate country towards membership.

RELATED ACTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2014-15 (COM(2014) 700 final of 8 October 2014).

SUMMARY

KEY ISSUES

The EU’s enlargement policy contributes to a powerful transformational effect on the countries concerned by the membership accession process. To prepare (potential) candidates for membership, the EU supports and monitors progress in reforms to ensure that a candidate is only admitted to the EU once it has met all the necessary requirements and conditions (in particular, the Copenhagen criteria).

Who?

• Candidates: Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Turkey.
• Potential candidates: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo*.

NB: accession negotiations with Iceland were put on hold by the Icelandic government in May 2013.

EU enlargement reform strategy

The EU enlargement strategy puts particular emphasis on three reform ‘pillars’ of the accession process. Implementation of reforms in these fields is key for success on the EU path:

• 1.

  the rule of law focusing on judicial reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption;

• 2.

  economic governance focusing on fiscal stability and structural reforms for improved competitiveness and growth;

• 3.

  public administration reform (PAR) to strengthen the countries’ administrative capacities.

Progress reports

The communication includes a set of dedicated reports presenting an overview of the progress made by each (potential) candidate and the reforms still awaited.

• Montenegro: this country has taken further steps in accession negotiations. Twelve chapters have been opened. Implementation of rule of law reforms has started. Tangible results are now needed and will be very important to determining the overall pace of the accession negotiations.
• Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: the EU accession process with this country is at an impasse. Action is needed to reverse recent backsliding, notably as regards freedom of expression and of the media and the independence of the judiciary. There is an urgent need to find a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. Government and opposition should take steps to restore political dialogue in parliament.
• Albania: this country was granted candidate status in June 2014 as recognition for its reform efforts and progress made in meeting the required conditions. The country needs to build on and consolidate the reforms and focus its efforts on tackling its EU-integration challenges in a sustainable and inclusive way. Both government and opposition need to ensure political debate takes place primarily in parliament.
• Serbia: the opening of accession negotiations is a turning point in the EU’s relations with Serbia. Now Serbia needs to deliver on its reform priorities in a sustained manner as the pace of negotiations will depend on progress in key areas, notably on rule of law and the normalisation process with Kosovo. New impulsion needs to be generated in the dialogue between the two countries in order to tackle key outstanding issues and open a new phase in the normalisation of relations.
• Turkey: implementation of certain reform commitments by Turkey has continued, such as the 2013 democratisation package, and steps have been taken towards a settlement on the issue of the Kurdish minority. However, there have also been grounds for serious concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Active and credible accession negotiations provide the most suitable framework for exploiting the full potential of EU-Turkey relations. Opening negotiations on the relevant chapters on rule of law and fundamental rights would provide a roadmap for reforms in these key areas.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: this country remains at a standstill on its EU integration path. It will be essential for the country to speak with one voice, to tackle urgent socioeconomic reforms and to progress on its European agenda.
• Kosovo: the initialling of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo in July 2014 is a major milestone in EU-Kosovo relations. Now Kosovo needs to deliver on key reforms, in particular the rule of law.

More info is available on the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations website.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

last update 20.02.2015