Progress Report: Kosovo does not expect positive things, is not doing well

The EC will approve “enlargement package” reports of progress towards the EU. Albania and Macedonia are expected to receive recommendation for opening membership talks, Kosovo expects criticism of slowing reforms.

On the eve of the April 17th publication of the progress report for the six countries in the Western Balkans, Brussels indicated that Brussels' support and focus on the enlargement process will not affect in any form the state of democracy, rule of law, human rights, economy and compliance with EU standards in each of the six partner states in the region. According to information available for this year's enlargement package report, rule of law, organised crime and corruption, freedom of expression and bilateral conflicts are again praised as the most painful “issues for the entire region.

Albania, Macedonia ready for further step towards EU

Albania and Macedonia, according to first information from the European Commission's annual report, will receive recommendations for opening membership negotiations with the EU. Edward Kukan, a member of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission and a multi-year chairman of the Committee for Co-operation with the Western Balkans, told DI that he believes the two countries have made substantial progress on the road to the EU.

“Albania has made a deep judicial reform, which, once implemented, will be the most important reform implemented among states in the enlargement process, and would be more serious than in the case of several EU member states.”

In his assessments, the European Commission underlines that Albania is moving ahead in all five key priorities that are essential to EU integration from public administration reform, judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the protection of human rights.

Earlier this year, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that if Albania continues this way on the path to reforms, the Commission will give a recommendation to start membership negotiations within the first six months of 2018. And that's probably gonna happen.

Will the “unlock” member states Macedonia?

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has long waited to open membership negotiations with the EU. In 2005 Macedonia received candidate status for EU membership. The EC twice recommended opening membership negotiations with Macedonia in 2009 and 2012. Both times Macedonia did not receive the necessary support from member states, primarily because of the name dispute with Greece. After the last elections, dramatic changes took place in Macedonia with the change of government. Brussels' assessment is that Macedonia has “transmitted the political crisis” and has shown “a clear political will for progress”.

Edward Kukan says Macedonia has made considerable progress in the past year. He adds that current Prime Minister Zoran Zaev is running a dynamic foreign policy and is trying to resolve open issues.

“It often means that member states do not base their positions on results reaching a state on the European integration process, but on political and bilateral issues. I would call on the Council to objectively assess the results achieved by Albania and Macedonia on their path to the EU,” said Kukan.

Unofficially, the DA learned from Brussels' diplomatic sources that senior EU officials have held discussions with member states on opening membership negotiations with Skopje and Tirana virtually until the time of the adoption of reports.

Things in Kosovo fail to work properly

According to Edward Kukani, Kosovo, just as Bosnia and Herzegovina should not expect positive reports from the European Commission this year. Rule of the law and economic aspects of the country are still under a major question, while normalising relations with Serbia is in stagnation, with long-standing escalations and tensions on both sides. The European Commission believes reforms in Kosovo have slowed due to the election period in Kosovo last year. Pristina authorities will be required to work efficiently for implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, but also to engage more strongly in dialogue with Belgrade. This framework includes implementing all agreements reached so far in the first place the establishment of the Serb Communist Community in Kosovo. /dw/