It is always a pleasure to present the enlargement package to an interested and knowledgeable audience. We have now discussed enlargement strategy for several years in this committee, and for the "aficionados" of this subject there should be no real surprises as concerns policy today. We keep implementing "the renewed consensus". We have a good strategy- and what ain't broken, we should not fix! I believe that was also the European Parliament's view, when we had a plenary debate on enlargement strategy last July.
What is interesting is the new context for our policy today. I present this package against the backdrop of the Russia- Georgia crisis and a renewed awareness of the strategic importance that countries like Turkey has for the EU - for our stability, security, energy supplies and contacts in the region. This underlines the value of maintaining our "soft power", and a well managed enlargement policy.
We also discuss enlargement against the backdrop of a global financial crisis, which again underlines the importance of keeping a steady course and this way help stabilise our partners in SEE. So far, the financial crisis has had only a limited impact in the region, but the real economy is now starting to feel the consequences.
By keeping a steady course on enlargement policy this autumn we lay the foundation for further progress during next year.
For Croatia 2009 may become a historic year, the year when Croatia reaches the final stages of its EU accession process. Today we present a conditional and indicative roadmap for Croatia to conclude the technical negotiations by the end of next year.
The road map is not a blank check. 2009 is not a binding date, but an indicative timetable to open and close chapters, provided that all the necessary conditions are met by Croatia. It is a devise that should give some spine to the accession negotiations, and give Croatia incentive to press in with a demanding reform agenda.
Croatia has a lot of hard work to do, not least in area of judicial reform, in the fight against corruption and organised crime. I share concerns expressed by Hannes Swoboda after the second spectacular killing in Zagreb last month. We should not sweep any problems under the carpet. Croatia may be doing better than the others in the region, but there are systemic problems in Croatia in the field of the judiciary and the rule of law. The need to address these shortcomings - through proper reforms - has been highlighted on several occasions, and also in this year's progress report.
Nevertheless, something good actually could come out of these horrendous murders. They are a trauma for the population in Croatia, but it seems that the events have galvanised political parties across the board in support for genuine reform and for seriously fighting corruption and organised crime in the country. We will monitor developments closely.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has made good progress on judicial and police reform and continued to consolidate multi-ethnic democracy by implementing the Ohrid Agreement. However, these good results are overshadowed by shortcomings in the political criteria, which is fundamental to start accession negotiations.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the other countries of the region are working on fulfilling the conditions for visa free travel.
I know the importance of this issue for all citizens of the Western Balkans, especially for the young people who would like to travel freely and thus get to know the EU better.
I hope that the most advanced countries could achieve this objective in the course of next year.
Albania is implementing smoothly the SAA it signed with the EU in late 2006. Based on cross-party consensus on the EU, key political reforms are progressing, including election reform. One of Albania's key challenges ahead will be handling of the 2009 elections. It will also need to strengthen the rule of law and build administrative capacity.
Montenegro's SAA has been in force for a year now. Its implementation is proceeding smoothly. Political consensus on the EU and cross-party support in the parliament enabled adoption of a new Constitution in 2007, as well as solid progress on EU agenda. Strengthening the rule of law and administrative capacity remain a challenge.
In the first half of 2008, we witnessed important progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and the start of visa dialogue in June. Unfortunately, this has not prevented a deterioration of the political situation in the country in recent months. The challenge for Bosnia's leaders today is to achieve the degree of political consensus that has delivered progress on EU integration elsewhere in the region. EU-related reforms must move to the top of the agenda.
The new Serbian government has made EU integration and reforms its key priority. Serbia needs to do everything in its powers to arrest the remaining ICTY indictees, including Ratko Mladic. Provided Serbia can carry out the necessary reforms and fulfil the conditions, under the best possible scenario, it might still be able to obtain candidate status in 2009. Serbia has a major role to play in the region. The EU expects in particular Serbia to take a constructive approach to EULEX deployment.
Kosovo[1] will remain a focal point in 2009. Kosovo needs to ensure its commitment to a democratic and multi-ethnic society. The EU is committed to help secure peace and stability in Kosovo and support its economic development, as well as its progress towards the EU as part of the Western Balkans. We will present a feasibility study in autumn 2009 in that regard.
For Turkey the year 2008 was marked by strong political tensions in domestic politics. The Constitutional Court cases highlight the need for urgent revision of the rules governing political parties, and also for a wider constitutional reform.
I welcome the reform of article 301 and the adoption of the law on foundations, both of which need to be properly implemented.
I call on Turkey today to re-energise its reform efforts to advance fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The country has every chance to make 2009 an important year in its EU accession process, by accelerating the momentum of reforms.
Last but not least, I also expect that Turkey will contribute to a favourable climate to achieve a comprehensive settlement on the reunification of Cyprus. The year 2009 should be decisive here. The EU can accept any solution agreed by the two communities, as long as a united Cyprus respects the Union's founding principles of liberty, democracy and the rule of law, and is able to carry the obligations of EU membership. This implies a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Let me conclude by saying that when it comes to the enlargement policy and South-Eastern Europe, in 2008 the 'Cassandras' were again proven wrong. At the beginning of the year many feared instability in the Western Balkans related to Kosovo's status process. In Turkey a serious political crisis was in the making. But once again the clear European perspective worked to help keep the region on the European track.
By keeping a steady course now, we lay the foundation for further progress next year. 2009 can be a quite important year of concrete progress, when practically all the countries are expected to take new steps forward on their path towards the EU.
