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Progress report

October 14, 2009

In a progress report on would-be EU members, the European Commission told Turkey it needed to make more progress on political and civil rights reforms.

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The European Union flag superimposed on a building under construction
The number of EU members has doubled in the last decadeImage: European Communities

The European Commission's annual progress report, released on Wednesday, called on countries seeking membership to the European Union to work on eliminating corruption, improving their judicial systems and improving their human rights situations.

Most of the countries, including Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Kosova, were making uneven progress and would not be able to accede to the EU for many years.

Turkey has made progress

EU Enlargment Commissioner Olli Rehn
Commissioner Rehn said Turkey must maintain its momentum for reformImage: AP

Turkey's recent improvements were recognized, but the Commission told the country it needed to speed up its reforms. The rights of minorities, women and trade unions remain problem issues, while Turkey must still normalize relations with the Cyprus, an EU member.

"Turkey has shown renewed political reform efforts. Progress with its accession negotiations hinges on this momentum, especially the consolidation of fundamental freedoms and the rule of law," said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.

The EU and Turkey began membership negotiations in 2005, but the talks have stalled over Ankara's refusal to normalizes relations with Cyprus, as well as French and German reluctance to admit Turkey.

Croatia could become next EU member

Croatia received a mostly positive review and could become the 28th member of the EU as early as 2010.

"If Croatia meets all outstanding benchmarks on time, the accession negotiations could be concluded next year," the Commission said in a statement.

Croatia's status improved when it settled a border dispute with EU member Slovenia earlier this month. The issue had frozen talks for a year. Croatia was not given an accession date, however, and still needs to work on reducing corruption, fighting organized crime and cooperating with a United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, according to the report.

The countries hoping to join the EU received a boost when Irish voters approved the EU's Lisbon Treaty earlier this month. The charter retools the EU's voting system, making room for new members.

hf/AP/Reuters
Editor: Trinity Hartman

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Brussels gives Turkey mixed reviews in its annual report on enlargement (14.10.2009)

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.
October 14, 2009undefined min
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