Varying degrees of optimism on 3 accession progress reports

The European Parliament will vote later today on 3 separate reports linked to the accession process of Turkey, Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia FYROM. Whilst the report on Turkey is not so optimistic, the accession process of Macedonia is slow but not insurmountable and in particular Croatia is likely to see its accession negotiations concluded sooner rather than later.

Istvan Szent-Ivanyi (SZDSZ, Hungary), ALDE Shadow on the Croatia report, commented:

\"Croatia\'s accession process has now become a test for the credibility of the enlargement process as a whole. We must refocus our efforts on the fulfilment of the accession criteria instead of using the negotiations as a pretext to settle outstanding bilateral issues. The technical part of the negotiations can still be concluded by the end of 2009 provided continuing progress by Croatia and that following a welcome mediation offer by the Commission the border dispute will no longer obstruct the process.\"

Commenting on the report on Turkey, which notes the third continuous year of the slowdown in the reform process particularly in the areas of basic civil liberties, ALDE Shadow Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (FDP, Germany) said:

\"Once again the Parliament has stated that Turkey\'s progress in the accession process is disappointing. Liberals and Democrats are particularly concerned about the increasingly restrictive climate concerning basic civil liberties such as freedom of the press, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly despite some positive decisions i.e. increased Kurdish TV broadcasting, but by in large reforms remain stalled. This is not enough for a country that aims to be a serious applicant for EU accession.\"

Finally, Jelko Kacin (LDS, Slovenia), ALDE Shadow rapporteur on the report on FYROM, said:

\"The Republic of Macedonia-FYROM has been in the EU waiting room for more than three years without a date to start accession negotiations. The country has yet to resolve disputes with Greece over the name issue but its current status prevents it from having a chance to prove itself in the accession process. FYROM and its people deserve the chance for a better future within the EU.\"

www.abhaber.com, 12-03-2009 14:48 (TSİ)