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FUTURE EU ENLARGEMENT CONTINUES IN FITS AND STARTS
euronews
Oct 30 2008
France
In an annual report, the European Commission is expected to tell
Croatia it should conclude its accession talks by the end of next year,
if it takes the necessary steps.
Other hopefuls are lagging behind. A draft said Macedonia can not
start entry talks yet. Turkey will be told to put new energy into
reforms. Serbia must do likewise and cooperate over warcrimes, even
to get on the candidate ladder.
The progress report criticised The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia over its failure to meet the political criteria, notably
frowning on an election it held this year which was widely considered
flawed.
Officials say the Commission will partially praise Turkey for improving
relations with Armenia, for help stabilising the Caucasus and for
some economic reforms.
Serbia's interior minister has said it hopes to win EU candidate
status even before general Ratko Mladic is captured. He said: 'Like
America hasn't arrested Bin Laden yet but is trying, we're also doing
our best.'
Brussels said Croatia could see a Commission financial package for
its accession mid-way through next year, though the draft could still
be changed before the Commission adopts it.
EU sources said the steps Croatia still needs to take include tougher
anti-corruption action and industrial reform in line with EU aid rules.
Violence linked to organised crime, including the murder of a newspaper
editor last week, has blotted Zagreb's EU accession efforts.
euronews
Oct 30 2008
France
In an annual report, the European Commission is expected to tell
Croatia it should conclude its accession talks by the end of next year,
if it takes the necessary steps.
Other hopefuls are lagging behind. A draft said Macedonia can not
start entry talks yet. Turkey will be told to put new energy into
reforms. Serbia must do likewise and cooperate over warcrimes, even
to get on the candidate ladder.
The progress report criticised The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia over its failure to meet the political criteria, notably
frowning on an election it held this year which was widely considered
flawed.
Officials say the Commission will partially praise Turkey for improving
relations with Armenia, for help stabilising the Caucasus and for
some economic reforms.
Serbia's interior minister has said it hopes to win EU candidate
status even before general Ratko Mladic is captured. He said: 'Like
America hasn't arrested Bin Laden yet but is trying, we're also doing
our best.'
Brussels said Croatia could see a Commission financial package for
its accession mid-way through next year, though the draft could still
be changed before the Commission adopts it.
EU sources said the steps Croatia still needs to take include tougher
anti-corruption action and industrial reform in line with EU aid rules.
Violence linked to organised crime, including the murder of a newspaper
editor last week, has blotted Zagreb's EU accession efforts.