Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), European Parliament/ Brussels

Chairman, Honourable Members of Parliament, Ladies and gentlemen.

Twenty years ago the Western Balkans was torn by conflict.

Twenty years ago, the European Union established the Copenhagen criteria.

Ten
years ago, the Thessaloniki Summit gave all countries of the Western
Balkans a clear perspective of European Union membership.

This
year, on July 1st, the European Union welcomed Croatia as the 28th
Member State and the first country to complete the Stabilisation and
Association Process.

Today, the Copenhagen criteria are just as
relevant. They reflect the core values on which the European Union is
founded: democracy, rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights.

The historic agreement of Serbia and Kosovo is further proof of the transformative power of the European Union perspective.

Honourable Members,

The
accession process today is built on strict but fair conditionality and
the lessons learned from previous enlargements. One of the key lessons
has been the importance of addressing “fundamentals first” and this is
the main theme of the 2013 Strategy Paper. Recalling the principles of
the Copenhagen criteria we highlight five fundamentals:

First, we
confirm that the rule of law remains at the heart of the accession
process. The new approach to the rule of law that we launched last year
needs also a cultural change. It requires that, early in the process,
countries ensure that they have the administrative capacity and this has
to be backed by the political will. It gives countries maximum time to
develop solid track records of implementation, delivering reforms that
are deeply rooted and irreversible; and it ensures that benefits will be
felt by the citizens during the process and not just at the end.

The
rule of law is also of great economic relevance in terms of legal
certainty and investor confidence and hence, key for economic reform.

Second,
we set out concrete proposals that will help the countries of the
Western Balkans and Turkey to strengthen their economic governance. Over
the last three years, the European Union has radically changed and
strengthened its economic governance through the European Semester so it
is important to help the candidate countries to pass through what we
might call a “touch of the European Semester” so that they can adapt
their own governance to the changing European model and at the same time
ensure that structural reforms can help improve their competiveness and
the economy.

All are affected by high unemployment. The young
unemployed need actions, they need decisions, they need jobs so it is
crucial that these countries sustain the reform efforts to drive growth.
The enlargement countries already benefit from on-going macro-economic
and fiscal programmes and we have started rolling out special reform
programmes for labour markets. In addition, this year we are introducing
new tools to guide the enlargement countries on:

•     structural reforms in key areas like infrastructure, research, transport and education; and
•    
  plans for public financial management which will help the countries to
  meet the Copenhagen economic criteria, fight corruption and allow budget
  support under IPA II.

Third, we underline the importance
of functioning of institutions guaranteeing democracy and ensuring that
democratic processes are more inclusive. That means constructive
opposition – not boycotting parliaments. And an area where we would
appreciate the help of this house is on cooperation between national
parliaments of the region and those of the Member States and the
European Parliament.

Fourth, our strategy paper focuses on
respect for fundamental rights. We want to see an end to unacceptable
incidents such as the attacks on the LGBT centre in Skopje. Journalists
must be able to do their job without fear of violence and intimidation
and more efforts are required to support the inclusion of Roma.

The
priority attached to the protection of minorities in the accession
process will be increased including through better targeted IPA funding
and more assistance to support Roma through a Roma “facility”. Freedom
of expression will be promoted in our political dialogues with
enlargement countries and we will ensure that it is consistently
addressed as a priority. Further to the “Speak-Up Conferences”, we will
also promote excellence in investigative journalism through an award,
starting with the first one in 2014.

Fifth, we call for renewed
efforts to overcome bilateral disputes among enlargement countries and
with existing Member States. The historic agreement between Belgrade and
Pristina shows what can be achieved with political will, courage and
support. The challenge now is to build on this progress. The Commission
stands ready to help in the search for solutions and we will encourage
increased dialogue on key issues.

Moving now to the countries.
Last year, Montenegro moved to a new stage on its path to the European
Union. It is the first country to implement the new approach to chapters
23/24. This will not only require the administrative capacity to
deliver, it will also require deep and lasting political reforms
supported by political will, particularly on judiciary and fundamental
rights and on justice, freedom and security. Continued strong
involvement of civil society in the reform process is crucial.

Freedom
of expression needs to be strengthened in Montenegro. All the cases of
violence and threats against journalists need to be properly
investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.

2013 has
been a historic year for Serbia. The decision of the June European
Council to open accession negotiations marked the start of a significant
new phase in our relations. Serbia has actively and constructively
worked towards improvement of relations with Kosovo. We look forward to
the first Intergovernmental conference on Serbia’s accession by next
January at the latest. During this new demanding phase, Serbia will need
to play particular attention to implementing reform of the judiciary,
the fight against corruption and organised crime as well as public
administration reform, independence of key institutions, media freedom,
anti-discrimination and protection of minorities.

Serbia should
build on its positive contribution to regional cooperation over the past
year, which has included stepping up high-level contacts with
neighbouring countries.

In the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, the political crisis demonstrated the excessive polarisation
of politics in the country and the lack of normal political discourse.
Equally importantly it distracted from grasping the opportunity which
last year's package and Council Conclusions had opened.

More
generally, reforms have however continued and the European Union agenda
remains the country’s strategic priority. The High Level Accession
Dialogue is a useful tool which will continue to focus on key issues,
including good neighbourly relations, but it cannot replace the
accession negotiations.

The priority for the coming year should
be effective implementation and enforcement of the existing legal and
policy frameworks. Close attention needs to be paid to rule of law and
achieving results in the fight against organised crime. Freedom of
expression also remains an issue of concern.

The Commission is
recommending the opening of accession negotiations for the fifth time.
No decision has been taken by the Council to date. Failure to act risks
damaging both reforms in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and
the credibility of our enlargement policy.

The Commission remains
ready to present a proposal for a negotiating framework without delay,
taking into account the need to solve the name issue at an early stage
of accession negotiations. The Commission considers that, if the
screening and the Council discussions on the negotiating framework were
underway, the necessary momentum could be created which would support
finding a solution of the name issue even before negotiating chapters
are opened. Applying the new approach on chapters 23 and 24 would also
provide the tools to tackle key issues of concern to Member States.

In
Albania there has been significant progress in the follow-up to the
December Council conclusions. Two key laws and the Parliament rules of
procedures were adopted with cross-party support. The elections went
smoothly and the people gave a clear mandate to their leaders.

In
view of Albania having achieved the necessary progress, the Commission
recommends that the Council should grant Albania the status of a
candidate country on the understanding that Albania continues to take
action in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

In
order for the Commission to recommend the opening of accession
negotiations, Albania will need to reinforce the efforts already made
and take action to fully address the following five key priorities:

•     continue to implement public administration reform;
•     take further action to reinforce the independence, efficiency and accountability of the judiciary;
•     make further determined efforts in the fight against corruption;;
•     make further determined efforts in the fight against organised crime; and
•    
  take effective measures to reinforce the protection of human rights,
  including of Roma, and anti-discrimination policies, as well as
  implement property rights.

The Commission stands ready to
support Albania's efforts toward meeting these key priorities by
engaging in a high level dialogue with the country.

In Bosnia and
Herzegovina the European integration process is at a standstill. Last
night Bosnia and Herzegovina's football team showed a strong display of
team spirit and unity and delivered a night of success, a night of
achievement. We have currently an EU team in Sarajevo trying to support
the political parties to achieve a breakthrough on the Sejdić-Finci
ruling which would open a new era for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its
citizens. My message today to Bosnia's politicians is follow the example
of your footballers, live up to the expectations of your citizens,
deliver a new future. We are committed to help but further progress
depends on the ability of the political leaders to agree together on a
compromise that unlocks the path to the European Union. This would:

•     help renew trust of the citizens in the capacity of their leaders to deliver on European Union integration; and
•    
  pave the way for the entry into force of the Stabilisation and
  Association Agreement and subsequently for a credible membership
  application.

In 2013 the decision of the Council
authorising the opening of Stabilisation and Association Agreement
negotiations brought Kosovo to a significant new phase in European Union
– Kosovo relations. This is recognition of the progress made on key
reforms and the substantial efforts made by Kosovo towards normalisation
of relations with Serbia. The Commission aims to complete these
negotiations in spring 2014 and initial the draft agreement in summer
and thereafter submit the proposals for the Council to sign and conclude
the agreement. And naturally, I will keep you informed on the state of
play in the SAA negotiations at all key stages of the discussions.

Kosovo
has made efforts to ensure progress on visa liberalisation and has kept
it high on its political agenda. On our side we remain equally
committed and we intend to report in the first half 2014 on progress.
Kosovo needs to actively support EULEX in implementing its mandate.
Kosovo now needs to focus on implementing the reforms to meet its
obligations under a future Stabilisation and Association Agreement with
particular attention on tackling organised crime and corruption.
Additional IPA funds will help the implementation of the April
agreement, including in support of Serb communities in Kosovo.

Turkey
is a strategic partner for the European Union considering the size of
its economy and its important role in foreign policy and energy
security. The positive agenda launched in 2012 continues to support and
complement accession negotiations. There has been progress in judicial
reforms and the government has started an historic peace process aimed
at ending terrorism and violence in the Southeast of the country, paving
the way to a solution to the Kurdish issue.

The protests in
May/June and the excessive use of force by police and the overall
absence of dialogue have raised serious concerns. Investigations into
the police conduct need to be completed and those responsible brought to
account.

I have heard the voices who said that the right
response of the European Union to events in Gezi Park should be for the
Union to disengage. But the message of the package adopted today is
different: the European Union needs to step up its engagement and
continue to support Turkey and Turkish citizens in fulfilling their
legitimate expectations of further reforms that can strengthen freedom
of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly.

The
democratisation package presented in September 2013 holds out the
prospect of progress on a range of issues, including the use of
languages other than Turkish and minority rights. As I have stated in
this house before: the full potential of our relationship with Turkey is
best fulfilled within an active and credible accession process where
the European Union remains the benchmark for reforms.

We have so
many issues of mutual interest. The signature of the
European-Union-Turkey visa readmission agreement and the simultaneous
launch of the visa liberalisation process would be a win-win situation
for both sides. Both Commissioner Malmström and myself are entirely
committed to this. The ball is in Turkey's court, play the ball! This is
a wonderful opportunity to concretely demonstrate the advantages of the
EU-Turkey relationship to Turkish citizens.

I also want to
underline the importance of Progress in the normalisation of relations
between Turkey and all European Union Member States, including the
Republic of Cyprus. It is now urgent that Turkey fulfils its obligation
of fully implementing the Additional Protocol.

As regards the
Cyprus issue, the Commission expects the Greek and Turkish Cypriot
communities to resume fully-fledged negotiations on a comprehensive
settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. We encourage all
parties to do everything possible to establish a positive climate
between the communities. The Commission stands ready to further
strengthen its support for this process should the two parties request
it and the UN agree.

With the decision of the new Government of
Iceland to put accession negotiations on hold, the accession process has
come to a standstill. Let me be crystal clear: Iceland remains an
important partner for the European Union and we stand ready to reinforce
our relations at any moment. We on our side have not disengaged.
Whenever, and if ever, Iceland wishes to do so, the Commission would be
ready to resume work on negotiations which have reached an advanced
stage. And I remain confident that we could come to an outcome
beneficial and positive for all sides.

Mr Chairman,

I have
painted a picture today of a strong and open European accession process
that addresses the fundamentals first; a process where candidates and
potential candidates build their credibility through a track record of
reform and implementation.

Looking at the work that lies ahead
for next year, the co-operation and support of this Committee will be
required more than ever if we are to ensure that the benefits and
opportunities of enlargement will continue to gradually build up, until
accession and beyond.

I look forward to the response of this
House to each one of the country reports and I look forward to your
questions and comments.