Brussel ziet 2008 als 'beslissend ' jaar voor de Balkan (en)
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Brussels has said that this year could be "decisive" for the western Balkan countries and their EU path, if they implement certain reforms.
If Bosnia and Herzegovina fulfils its political conditions, including the adoption of a state-level political reform, it "should be able to sign" a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) - a first step towards EU membership - in April, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn i reaffirmed when presenting a paper on the western Balkans published by the European Commission on Wednesday (5 March).
The former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia could get a date for opening EU accession negotiations if it meets "key priorities", including putting in place reforms of the judiciary and the public administration, and implementing a police and anti-corruption law.
This year could also be "decisive" for Croatia if it makes "substantial progress" with its judicial and administrative reforms, with the fight against corruption and the restructuring of its ship-building industry.
Both Croatia and Macedonia are currently EU candidate countries, but Zagreb is more advanced in its accession process and hoping to get EU membership by 2011, while Skopje has still to start accession talks.
For their part, potential candidates Albania and Montenegro need to build a "convincing track record over the implementation of the SAAs and pursue reforms with determination," while Kosovo must ensure its commitment to a "democratic and multi-ethnic society".
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The enlargement commissioner also underlined Serbia's "central" role for maintaining stability in the region, and called on Belgrade to "reaffirm its commitment to closer ties with the EU", following recent statements by some Serbian politicians.
"I am fully aware that a great majority of Serbian people consistently support EU membership. It should be a realistic expectation that the Serbian government listens to this silent majority," commissioner Rehn said.
"We are on stand-by, we are ready to move on once Serbia is ready to do the same," he added.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica recently stated that Serbia should not join the EU without Kosovo - the former Serbian province which declared independence on 17 February against Belgrade's will.
He also refused to sign an interim political agreement aimed at boosting trade relations.
On Wednesday, commissioner Rehn also presented a series of proposals designed to further contact between citizens of the Balkans and the EU.
These include doubling the number of scholarships for students from the Balkans, opening up EU programmes in science and research, education and culture to countries of the region, and aiming for visa-free travel for every country.
Meanwhile, EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot presented a proposal for developing the Balkans' infrastructure, extending the EU's main road and rail arteries to the region and founding a so-called "transport community" with the region.