Journal # Brussels gives Turkey mixed reviews in its annual report on enlargement published today # 14.10.2009 14

The European Commission says accession talks with Croatia should be completed by next year and has recommended starting membership negotiations with Macedonia. In the EU's annual progress report, Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn said other Balkan states were making uneven progress towards membership of the bloc. They include Alabania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Rehn said Serbia was well-place to implement necessary administrative changes. But said the situation was especially grave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where ethnic tensions have stalled reforms. The commissioner also warned that Turkey needs to speed up political and civil rights reform to boost its chances of joining the bloc. The report urged Ankara to treat media group Dogan Yayin fairly in a tax dispute that could affect freedom of the press in the country.