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On 8 October, the European Commission presented the EU’s annual “Enlargement package”, which includes the Enlargement Strategy Paper and  Progress Reports on Turkey and the Western Balkan countries: Montenegro, Serbia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius welcomed great teamwork and results of 5 year-long activities of the outgoing European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle and his team. Significant progess has been achieved: key reforms are being implemented in all aspiring countries. The EU’s enlargement policy continues to be one of the most efficient instruments that contributes to promoting security and stability in Europe.

When commenting on the Commission’s findings and recommendations, the Minister shared the views of the Commission underlining the increasing importance of solidarity among candidate countries with EU‘s common positions in the area of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, especially taking into account recent events in EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood.

In addition to the Commission’s focus previous years on rule of law, fundamental rights, economic governance and improving economic competitiveness, this year’s package highlight the need to strengthen public administration reforms. The most common shortcomings were identified implementing reforms in the areas of public administration, judiciary and economic governance, as well as with establishing a solid track record  fighting corruption and organised crime. Other areas of concern remain the freedom of expression and media, and the protection of minorities.

The reports stress the need to further strengthen regional cooperation, which would not only help to eliminate consequences of recent wars, but would be crucial factors increasing competitiveness of the region.

As regards individual countries, it is noted that this year Serbia, Albania and Kosovo took significant steps towards the EU. EU started accession negotiations with Serbia in January 2014. In June, the EU granted candidate status to Albania. In July, the EU initialled a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo. The report on Montenegro highlights the country’s progress in accession negotiations (12 negotiating chapters were already opened). However, it also draws attention to shortcomings with regard to efforts to address the implementation of reforms in key areas of rule of law and fundamental rights. This year, the Commission reiterated its recommendation to the Council that accession negotiations be opened with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, at the same time noting the deteriorating political situation in the country and that it might not reiterate its earlier recommendations in the coming year. The report noted the importance of cooperation between the EU and Turkey in the fields of foreign policy, economy and energy, and drew attention that opening negotiations on respective chapters would provide Turkey with a comprehensive roadmap for reforms in the area of rule of law and fundamental rights. Commission regretted that Bosnia and Herzegovina remained at a standstill on its European integration path.

Each year, European Commission adopts its “Enlargement package” - a set of documents regarding the policy of EU enlargement - setting out the way forward for the coming year.

Full text of the documents may be found at http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/strategy-and-progress-report/index_en.htm