Michael de Laine

European MPs says Balkan strife must not obstruct EU accession for Croatia, FYROM

By Michael de Laine, Copenhagen, 24th January 2009

Accession negotiations with Croatia are expected to close in 2009, but fighting organised crime and corruption is a key sensitive issue. Accession negotiations with FYROM are expected to start before the end of 2009, with hopes that Greece will drop its veto.

Bilateral issues in the Balkans should not obstruct the progress of either Croatia or the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) towards joining the EU, nor should the issues take precedence over EU integration, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament said in two resolutions, adopted on Wednesday, on Commission progress reports.

The committee also adopted a third resolution welcoming the Serbian government’s agreement to the deployment of an EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo.

The Foreign Affairs Committee said it is confident that negotiations with Croatia can be concluded in 2009, in line with the indicative roadmap published by the European Commission.

But the fight against organised crime and corruption in Croatia is a key sensitive issue, according to the resolution, which was drafted by Hannes Swoboda (PES).

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) regretted that the accession negotiations have been blocked for a considerable time due to bilateral issues such as the dispute over the placing of land and sea borders with Slovenia.

Slovenia blocked the opening of new chapters in the accession negotiations in December 2008.

The Croatia resolution was adopted with 55 votes in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention. The Swoboda report will be put to a plenary vote in March.

Bilateral issues also loomed large in the resolution on the FYROM progress report.

The resolution, drafted by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL), voiced hopes that the Greek government will no longer use its veto against FYROM and will support FYROM’s integration into the European Union and NATO.

The resolution also reiterated the importance for FYROM of continuing to foster good neighbourly relations and seeking to resolve outstanding issues with its neighbours, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the FYROM name issue.

MEPs said they wanted to see accession negotiations with FYROM starting before the end of 2009.

The FYROM resolution was adopted with 64 votes in favour, 7 against and 2 abstentions. The Meijer report will also be put to a plenary vote in March.

A resolution drafted by Joost Lagendijk (Greens/EFA) welcomed the Serbian government’s agreement to the deployment of the EULEX European Union Rule of Law (EULEX) mission throughout the territory of Kosovo. EULEX one of the largest civilian missions ever launched under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

MEPs encouraged Serbia to continue to show this constructive attitude, which is consistent with its aspirations to join the EU.

While welcoming the improved security situation, the resolution underlined the need for a multi-ethnic police force in all areas of Kosovo.

MEPs urged the Kosovo authorities to support the reintegration of the Serbian police officers who have yet to return.

The Kosovo resolution was adopted with 45 votes in favour, 7 against and 1 abstention. There will be a plenary vote on the Lagendijk report in February.