AP Hıristiyan Demokrat Grubu:Genişleme için Kopenhag Kriterleri Önemli (ingilizce)

Avrupa Parlamentosu AP Dış İlişkiler Komisyonu Başkanı İtalyan parlamenter Hıristiyan Demokrat Grubu üyesi Gabriele Albertini tarafından hazırlanan genişleme stratejisiyle ilgili karar tasarısı Avrupa Parlamentosu Genel Kurulu’nda yapılan oylamada açık oy farkıyla kabul edildi. AP Hıristyan Demokrat Grubu üyeleri Albertini ve Pack yayınladıkları yazılı açıklamalarda Kopenhag kriterlerinin önemine dikkati çektiler.Pack,Batı Balkanların AB perspektifinin de önemine dikkati çekti.ABHaber son gelişmeleri bildiriyor:

We want an EU committed to enlargement and mindful of the Copenhagen criteria. Gabriele Albertini MEP

"Apart from our intention to keep up with the enlargement policy, we must not forget that all States wishing to become part of our Community have to fulfil judicial, cultural and economic criteria that have been strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty, ratified by all EU countries. We have to keep in mind that entering into our Union implicates not only benefits and financial balance but also responsibilities and duties for all governments and citizens involved. The European Union must also always be mindful of its ability to integrate new members", said Gabriele Albertini MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, after the adoption of the European Parliament's position on enlargement strategy.

With today's votes in plenary, the Parliament gave its final opinion on the strategy pursued by the Commission concerning the accession of the Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland to the EU. The final version of the text puts to evidence the strong commitment of our institution to the enlargement process and Europe's intention to proceed with its border extensions.

In plenary yesterday, Gabriele Albertini participated in the debate with the Council, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, reaffirming the positive development of the strategy held so far.

"The Resolution on enlargement strategy gives a realistic but general overview of all achievements made by all the countries both actually and potentially involved in the accession procedure. The upcoming entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will give a boost to the enlargement process and encourages Europe to follow the direction aimed at establishing good relations with neighbouring countries in view of further progress", said Albertini in the debate.

The European Parliament text welcomed the bilateral agreement between Croatia and Slovenia on solving the border dispute, a very important step for Croatia, so close to seeing the end of negotiations for accession. It also recognised Turkey's commitment to the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria while raising some concerns as regards the historical conflicts with Armenia and Cyprus which are still not solved, while the European perspective of countries in the Western Balkans is reinforced.

-------------
Perspective of Western Balkan's entry to the European Union has to be kept alive. Doris Pack MEP

European Parliament votes on enlargement strategy of the European Union

"The countries of the Western Balkan must have a perspective to enter the European Union", said Doris Pack MEP after today's vote on the enlargement of the European Union.

"The enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkan is a decided cause. The entry of these countries, after they have met all the criteria, is no act of mercy, but a simple necessity in view of their geographical position in the middle of the European Union: their stability is a precondition for ours", said Pack.

"It is important that the countries of the Western Balkans meet the criteria for entry to the European Union", Pack said. "The Copenhagen criteria must be respected. The compliance with this criteria is a condition of entry", said Pack. A date for entry must not be fixed without all criteria having been met, as was unfortunately the case with Bulgaria and Romania.

Pack continued: "All countries in the region have to meet the necessary criteria as a constitutional legality, for democracy, and respect for human rights. They have already come a long way. We have to help them make the rest of the journey."

With the Resolution approved today, the European Parliament is demonstrating its position on the European Commmission's strategy document on the Western Balkans, Iceland and Turkey.

ABHaber, 28-11-2009 08.30 (TSİ)