Olli Rehn, the quiet Finn who once humbly described himself as "only the factory manager" in the gigantic effort of preparing countries for EU membership (EurActiv 21/11/09), summed up his five-year term by saying that five years ago, he had wanted to see a number of things achieved by the end of 2009:
- An EU of 27 member states;
- Croatia's accession process entering the final stages;
- the other Western Balkan countries anchored in the EU through Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs);
- Turkey firmly on a European track;
- Kosovo's status settled, and;
- Cyprus reunified.
Rehn said "nearly all" these ambitions had materialised, with the notable exception of Cyprus, where reunification talks are still ongoing.
MEPs congratulated Rehn for his work, telling him that he could hardly hope for a more attractive and fascinating portfolio in the new European Commission.
"Well, there are certain limits to how much attraction and fascination a man can take," Rehn retorted in humourous mood.
The plenary debate in Strasbourg, which lasted three hours, nevertheless primarily focused on outstanding work rather than past achievements. Following the recent publication of the Commission's '2009 Strategy Paper' (EurActiv 15/10/09), the European Parliament prepared a resolution based on a draft by MEP Gabriele Albertini (Italy, EPP).
147 amendments
The five-page resolution has in the meantime been supplemented by a 101-page paper listing 147 amendments. Many of these concern the formulation of the name of Kosovo, which is still not recognised by six EU countries, the 'name dispute' between Macedonia and Greece, the Cyprus problem and the role of Turkey.
Other applicant countries triggered less interest in adding amendments, but even on the issue of Iceland, a number of improvements to the initial draft were tabled.
The main message of the resolution, due to be voted on with amendments today (26 November), is that the EU remains committed to further enlargement, but that "no discounts" will be made, as Rehn stated.
In a nutshell: applicant countries should solve their bilateral disputes outside the EU framework; the countries of the former Yugoslavia should cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the international tribunal established after the fratricidal wars; and the countries should pursue regional integration and improve the situation of minorities, in particular Roma.
Alarming signals
The most alarming paragraphs concern Bosnia and Herzegovina, as MEPs express their "dissatisfaction" over the evolution of the country and their "growing concern" about the lack of a common vision uniting the three ethnic communities.
On Turkey, the draft says that the country has made "some progress towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria". Regrets are expressed as to limited progress made in the area of freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Also, MEPs "deplore" the continued non-fulfilment of commitments stemming from the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement (the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Cyprus).
Turkey is also requested to coordinate its foreign policy with the EU, in particular regarding Iran (EurActiv 17/11/09). Regrets are expressed that NATO-EU strategic cooperation is blocked because of a Turkey-Cyprus conflict (EurActiv 18/09/09).
Positive notes
On a more positive note, recent efforts to resolve the Kurdish issue are "welcomed" and Turkey is "encouraged" to take concrete measures to address the situation of citizens of Kurdish origin. Also, Ankara is commended for its efforts to normalise relations with Armenia, the Turkish Grand National Assembly being urged to ratify the relevant protocols.
On Serbia, MEPs note "with satisfaction" the progress made, and "urge" the Council to decide on the ratification of the Interim Agreement "without delay".
In fact, one of the strongest accents of Rehn's final speech his urging of the EU to move forward on Serbia, and especially the Netherlands, which has long objected to the entry into force of an SAA with Belgrade due to what was seen as insufficient cooperation with the ICTY.
"I agree with your draft resolution to unblock the agreement. It is high time to allow Serbia to move to the next stage of its European journey," Rehn said.
As for Macedonia, the country is congratulated for progress achieved in the last few months, and the Council is called upon to confirm the Commission’s recommendation at a summit to be held in December 2009 and to set a date for opening negotiations.
However, a number of Greek MEPs made it clear that the need to overcome a Greek veto in the Council, which decides unanimously, would stay as long as the 'name dispute' between Athens and Skopje is still outstanding.
Alluding to a meeting tomorrow (27 November) between the prime ministers of Greece and Macedonia over the dispute (EurActiv 25/11/09), Rehn expressed cautious optimism that the problem could be solved.
"I have the impression that the government in Skopje has – rightly – seen our recommendation as an encouragement finally to settle the name issue with Greece. There is now a new context, a new debate and a new window of opportunity that I hope both Skopje and Athens will capitalise on," the commissioner said.
On Croatia, the country best-prepared to join the EU in the near future, MEPs state their confidence that accession negotiations can be concluded by mid-2010, provided that Zagreb cracks down on corruption and organised crime, and gives the ICTY access to documents requested for use in war crime trials.
"The countries of the Western Balkan must have a perspective to enter the European Union", said center right MEP Doris Pack after the vote in the European Parliament.
"The entry of these countries, after they have met all 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", she said.
