The slow race of the Balkan countries to join the EU

(BRUSSELS2) The “27” have given themselves time to decide on the dates of future enlargements to the Balkan countries. Meeting on Tuesday (December 11), they wished not to disappoint the candidates: the prospects of membership remain open but they were careful - as the applicant countries hoped to set a date for the start of negotiations with Serbia and with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM/FYROM). Ditto for the opening of negotiations for an Association and Stabilization Agreement (ASA) with Kosovo. For these two, we will have to wait for a new assessment of European achievements, particularly in the area of ​​fundamental rights, justice and freedom, made by the Commission and a new proposal to open negotiations to make a decision. We will therefore meet at the spring 2013 summit to re-examine all these conditions. For the others (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina), the situation is not desperate, but the patient is still very ill, as we would say in the medical community; the conditions are far from being met, say the diplomats…

Situation in North Kosovo continues to hamper Serbia

Serbia has had the official status of a candidate country since March 2012, and the start date of negotiations still awaits an improvement in relations with Kosovo. In the eyes of the Council, this starts with better cooperation with the European mission EULEX Kosovo and with access to northern Kosovo for it. Belgrade must also move forward to combine the Serbian institutional and administrative entities of North Kosovo with those of Pristina. The “27” thus reiterated how much they attach “great importance” to not seeing EULEX prevented from carrying out its mandate.

However, the Member States have “congratulated” the two Prime Ministers on both sides, Dacic and Thaçi, for the recent efforts made on border control, liaison officers, money flows to Kosovo and the protection of cultural and religious heritage (see also: Agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on joint border control). Furthermore, the 27 agree that the country “on track to meet the political criteria of the Stabilization and Association Agreement”. Even if problems remain, particularly with regard to the rights of minorities (the Roma in particular) and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. For the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Füle, who spoke at the end of the Council, the country has “taken a whole series of important measures” and that this “suggests that additional results would be achieved during the first half of 2013, which will allow us to recommend the start of accession negotiations.”

FYROM: no bilateral agreement with Greece in sight, no membership negotiations

The Council simply took note » – and this for the fourth consecutive year – recommendations from the European Commission advocating the opening of negotiations, ensuring that the political criteria are met. But she also recalled that the “ Maintaining good neighborly relations, including a mutually agreed and negotiated solution to the name issue, under UN auspices, remains essential”, as already specified by the European Council in June 2008. According to a diplomat, 14 states were ready to set an opening date for accession negotiations, 13 were more or less reserved, believing that certain conditions had to be met beforehand. As unanimity is necessary in this matter, we can see the path to follow.

The « must find a definitive conclusion on this question (of the name) without delay ". Certainly the “27” say to themselves “encouraged” by the recent exchanges between the two countries and the Greek memorandum proposed on October 4 (see on the B2 Club – subscribers). But the consensus does not yet seem to be there. As for the difficult relations between FYROM and Bulgaria, recent contacts have improved the situation. But the “27” are waiting, there again, “ concrete actions and results”. In other words… Move around! On the Commission side, we are refusing any paralysis. “Conclusions (advice) open up clear perspectives. They provide clarity and constitute a significant step forward in relations between FYROM and the EU. There is a clear agenda of tasks to be carried out on the FYROM side and on the EU side”, declared Mr. Füle’s spokesperson. NB: The Former Republic of Macedonia (FYROM/FYROM) has been a candidate since December 2005. And every year, it's a bit of the same circus. It seems that the leaders of this very young republic have not yet understood everything...

The Bosnian-Albanian swamp

For other countries, the language is less optimistic. The Europeans have thus identified 12 “priorities” that theAlbania must be resolved before we can hope to obtain candidate country status. We find in particular important points such as the reform of the rules of parliamentary procedure, electoral reforms and appointments of key officials, public and judicial administration.

En Bosnia and Herzegovina, even if there is progress – law on state aid and law on the census – it is still dragging. And "the use of rhetoric of division continues” to undermine the entire process. Bosnia has several priorities. 1. bring its Constitution into compliance with the non-discrimination rules of the European Convention on Human Rights – which in a certain way contradicts the Dayton agreements which provided for a distribution of positions by “nationality” -. 2. Apply its obligations under the interim agreement and the stabilization and association agreement, particularly on the use of European pre-accession funds. 3. Establish an independent, credible, impartial and effective judicial system. 4. Take into account Croatia's accession to the European Union which will lead to closing the border between the two countries to certain Bosnian products if it does not put in place certain regulations (for example at the veterinary level for agricultural products). 5. Formation of a stable government at all levels. 6. Fulfill all the conditions set by the international community for the closure of the office of the International High Representative.

For the Kosovo, it is a little more complicated by the fact that 5 European states have still not recognized its independence. Even if the Council takes note of the Commission's feasibility study estimating that the signing of an association and stabilization agreement can be done without prejudging the (different) positions of the States on the status of the country, the “27 ” ask Kosovo to make “ progress (…) on several important points”, in particular cooperation with the EULEX mission, the work of the special task force investigating organ trafficking. And " to accelerate the pace of reforms » particularly in the area of ​​the fight against organized crime, corruption, judicial reforms and freedom of expression.

Also to follow is a more general comment on the process of enlargement of the Union, here

(with the help of Damien Kerlouet)