The European Commission’s October 14 2009 report on the EU enlargement process has hailed what it calls a "year of progress" in the Western Balkans.
The report says that Croatia has "made good progress" in meeting the benchmarks set in the accession negotiations and negotiations have now formally resumed following the political agreement between Slovenia and Croatia over handling the border issue.
"Croatia will need to pursue its reform efforts, in particular on the judiciary and public administration, the fight against and organised crime, and minority rights. If Croatia meets all outstanding benchmarks in time, the accession negotiations could be concluded next year."
Montenegro applied for EU membership in December 2008 and the EC said that it was currently preparing an opinion as requested by the European Council. Parliamentary elections in Montenegro had met almost all international standards. Strengthening administrative capacity and consolidating the rule of law remain major challenges.
Albania applied for EU membership in April. "The Commission stands ready to prepare its opinion, once invited to do so by the Council." Parliamentary elections had met most international standards.
"Strengthening the rule of law and ensuring the proper functioning of state institutions remain major challenges," the EC said of Albania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina "urgently needs to speed up key reforms," the EC said.
"The country's European future requires a shared vision on the overall direction of the country by its leadership, the political will to meet European integration requirements and to meet the conditions which have been set for the closure of the OHR."
The EC said that Serbia had demonstrated its commitment to moving closer to the EU by building up a track record in implementing the provisions of the Interim Agreement with the EU and by undertaking key reforms.
"In light of sustained co-operation with ICTY, the Commission considers that the Interim Agreement should now be implemented by the EU."
But, the EC said, "Serbia needs to demonstrate a more constructive attitude on issues related to Kosovo".
In Kosovo, "stability has been maintained but remains fragile," according to the EC report.
The EU's rule of law mission EULEX had been deployed throughout Kosovo and was fully operational.
"Kosovo faces major challenges, including ensuring the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the strengthening of administrative capacity, and the protection of the Serb and other minorities."
In a separate document, the EC proposes to "bring Kosovo's citizens closer to the EU", including through a visa dialogue with the perspective of eventual visa liberalisation when the necessary reforms will have been undertaken and the conditions met.
The EC also proposes to extend the preferential trading regime ("autonomous trade measures") that Kosovo currently benefits from and will propose negotiating directives for a trade agreement once Kosovo meets the relevant requirements.
The European Commission (EC) published its annual progress report on the Western Balkans and Turkey on Wednesday.

Brussels, headquarters of the European Commission 
In the report, the EC said that Croatia could wrap up its membership talks in 2010, but the other Balkan countries have more work to do. The report provides no entry date for Croatia.


"Croatia will need to pursue its reform efforts, in particular on the judiciary and public administration, the fight against and organised crime, and minority rights. If Croatia meets all outstanding benchmarks in time, the accession negotiations could be concluded next year," the report read.

Brussels criticised the EU-hopefuls over widespread corruption and shortcomings in the judiciary in the document. The commission urged Turkey to step up political and economic reforms, to improve the rights of minorities, women and trade unions, as well as to normalise relations with Cyprus.

The report notes that Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo are making uneven progress, and Serbia has a strong administrative capacity to implement the necessary reforms.

The EC recommended that the 27-nation bloc start accession talks with Macedonia, as the country has made "convincing progress", EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels while presenting the report. In a separate document, the EC proposed that the EU step up its ties with Kosovo by offering visa-free travel to its citizens when the conditions are met.