Eventueel EU-lidmaatschap voor Albanië, Bosnië en Servië. Stand van zaken (en)
All the Western Balkan countries have been given the prospect of EU membership once they fulfil the necessary conditions.[2] Each country will advance towards this goal according to its progress in meeting the requirements. As potential candidates, the countries of the Western Balkans have access to a number of instruments also available to help candidate counties.
Any country that wishes to join the EU must meet the political and economic criteria and has to transpose and implement EU laws and standardsfully.[3]
The Progress Reports describe political and economic developments in the potential candidate countries of the Western Balkans and their progress in adopting EU standards. The countries of the Western Balkans must also fulfil the conditions under the Stabilisation and Association process, such as regional cooperation and cooperation with the ICTY.[4]
Albania
Since 31 January 2003, Albania has been negotiating a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. The Commission considers that the progress achieved so far paves the way for the closure of these negotiations.
Political situation
Overall, the political situation has improved. Albania's democratic, judicial and public administration institutions have been reinforced. The 2005 parliamentary elections were fundamentally sound. Serious efforts have been made to fight corruption and to improve respect for human rights. Albania has continued to play a positive political and economic role in the region. Albania needs to improve the implementation of legislation, media freedom, the efficiency and independence of the judicial system, and the enforcement of property rights. The country also has to achieve concrete results in the fight against corruption.
Economic situation
The economy of Albania operates to some degree within the framework of functioning market principles. Growth has remained strong, fiscal consolidation has continued and the budget deficit has declined. The privatisation of small- and medium-sized enterprises has been completed, although the privatisation of large enterprises has been delayed. However, public sector governance remains weak.
Further vigorous reform efforts are necessary to address shortcomings in the competitiveness of the economy. The performance of the financial sector, the enforcement of property rights, and the business environment all need to improve.
European standards
Albania has made some progress towards meeting European standards. Progress has been made in adoption of new legislation and the establishment of new institutions. Administrative capacity needs further strengthening, and in many cases there is a need for more commitment and resources. Progress has been made on internal market issues and in the fields of customs, taxation, transport, energy, information society and media, border control, police, the fight against money laundering and illegal drugs trade. Albania needs to intensify its efforts in several areas, notably free movement of capital, competition, agriculture and fisheries, the visa system and environment, and fight against organised crime.
The European Commission will continue to provide significant financial assistance to support Albania. For the years 2004 and 2005, €107.2 million is available for Albania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 21 October 2005, the Commission recommended the opening of negotiations on an SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina and presented draft negotiating directives for adoption by the Council.
Political situation
Bosnia and Herzegovina has to continue to improve the functioning of its institutions. There has been progress on several key areas, including the functioning of the judicial system, defence reform and, most recently, police restructuring. In 2004, Bosnia and Herzegovina took full responsibility for organising and financing its local elections. Cooperation with the ICTY has improved significantly. Nonetheless, progress has sometimes been slow. The country and its reform efforts suffer from complex government structures, fragmented policymaking and by a lack of resources and qualified staff. Efforts need to continue in order to seriously improve the effectiveness of the executive and legislative bodies, to ensure that state-level authorities are properly equipped, to strengthen state-entity coordination, and to fight corruption.
Economic development
There have been some positive developments in the economic field. Economic growth rebounded in 2004, inflation remained low and some steps were taken to improve the business climate. Further harmonisation took place between the entities, in particular in the area of indirect taxation. However, the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina operates only to a limited degree according to market principles. Unemployment is high and external imbalances remain large. The privatisation process needs to accelerate and the capacity of the judicial system to handle bankruptcies and property rights strengthened. Further efforts are necessary to address these challenges and the serious shortcomings in competitiveness of the economy.
European standards
Progress has been made towards meeting European standards, notably through adoption of new legislation and the establishment of new institutions.
Some positive developments have taken place on internal market-related issues, customs and taxation, competition, public procurement and intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights, as well as in the areas of agriculture, environment, transport, energy and public broadcasting. As regards justice, freedom and security, progress can be noted on visas, border control, asylum, migration and money laundering. However, efforts need to be seriously enhanced. Institutions have to be properly equipped and legislation implemented. Continued progress needs to be made in all areas, particularly in those which are central for the implementation of a future Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
The European Commission will continue to provide significant financial assistance to support Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the years 2004 and 2005, €121.4 million is available for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Serbia and Montenegro
On 10 October 2005, the EU began negotiations on an SAA with Serbia and Montenegro.
Political situation
The entry into force of a revision of the Constitutional Charter restored the legitimacy of the State Union Parliament. The country has pursued public administration reform and established the administrative structures necessary for the SAA negotiations. The country has made significant progress in its cooperation with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This progress must continue to achieve full cooperation. The country must make further efforts to respect fully the Constitutional Charter, reform the public administration and the judiciary, fight against corruption, and ensure effective democratic control over the military. Political leaders need to take a constructive approach with regard to Kosovo.
Economic situation
In both republics, the economies operate to some degree according to market principles. Further vigorous reform efforts are necessary to address the shortcomings in competitiveness. In Serbia, the main positive developments were continuation of fiscal tightening; reduction of trade deficit; reduction of external debt; further progress in the restructuring and privatisation of the banking sector. However, inflation and wage pressure has mounted and the business environment remains difficult. The government sector still absorbs too many resources. In Montenegro, the main positive developments were the strengthening of economic growth; a continued decline of inflation, further advancement of privatisation, a decline of unemployment, a reduction of budget deficit and the rise of bank lending. However, external debt increased further and the private sector development is still hampered by an inefficient judiciary. High wage growth has diminished competitiveness
European standards
Both republics have made some good progress in the area of the internal market, notably on customs, competition and trade. They must now continue to make sustained efforts to improve legislative and administrative capacities with a view to fulfilling their future SAA obligations. They must also avoid creating new barriers between the republics. There has been some progress on sectoral policies, but it is uneven. As regards justice, freedom and security, no visible progress has taken place in areas such as visa, border control, asylum and migration, where the competences are shared between the State Union and the Republics. In some areas falling within the exclusive remit of the republics, they have made progress, but further resolute efforts are needed.
The European Commission will continue to provide significant financial assistance to support Serbia and Montenegro. For the years 2004 and 2005, €427 million is available for Serbia and Montenegro.
Kosovo (as defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1244)
Since 1999, Kosovo has been governed by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) supported by a NATO-led peacekeeping presence, the Kosovo Force (KFOR). The UN's mandate is to establish and support the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government until Kosovo's future status is settled.
On the basis of a comprehensive review of the implementation of eight UN standards - including establishing democratic institutions, protecting minorities, promoting economic development and ensuring the rule of law, freedom of movement and property rights - the UN decided on 24 October to begin a political process to determine Kosovo's future status.
In its 2005 progress report, the Commission assesses the situation in Kosovo by taking duly into account its present status under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
Political situation
Elections were held in Kosovo in 2004, which led to the establishment of a coalition government. However, Kosovo Serbs have not participated in the work of the institutions. The technical dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has resumed. Overall, the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government have demonstrated more commitment to the implementation of the UN standards. Some progress has been made on the standards related to the functioning of the institutions, the economy and the Kosovo Protection Corps. However, Kosovo achieved very modest progress in the areas of refugee return, freedom of movement and property rights. The lack of respect for the rule of law and the problems of organised crime and widespread corruption are issues of great concern. The EU wants to see further efforts to strengthen Kosovo's public administration and judicial system and ensure that they are free from political interference; to implement the decentralisation process, taking into account the views of all communities; and to improve the human rights situation, particularly for minorities.
Economic situation
Kosovo is establishing a regulatory framework of functioning market principles. The extensive use of the euro has ensured monetary stability. The privatisation process is underway. Kosovo is promoting trade liberalisation and a favourable business environment. Economic growth has been weak, however, at least partly owing to the decline in donor support and lack of dynamism and competitiveness of the economy. Unemployment remains very high. To improve the economic situation, further efforts are needed to address issues such as property rights, the weakness of the judiciary and inadequate infrastructure.
European standards
Kosovo has made progress in implementing European standards, notably in the areas of consumer protection, customs and taxation. Some progress has been made on the environment, energy and media. However, electricity provision remains precarious and more decisive efforts are needed substantially to increase revenue collection and improve governance structures of this public utility. Further efforts are needed to improve the tax administration, the statistical system and to strengthen Kosovo's law enforcement agencies.
The European Commission will continue to provide significant financial assistance to support Kosovo. For the years 2004 and 2005, €138.4 million is available for Kosovo.
[1] Under UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
[2] European Council at Thessaloniki in June 2003.
[3] The accession criteria are defined in the conclusions of the European Councils in Copenhagen in 1993 and in Madrid in 1995.
[4] The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.