BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WILL SIGN STABILIZATION AND ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT WITHIN WEEKS, EU COMMISSIONER OLLI REHN SAYS

Comments made by European Commissioner Olli Rehn in his opening remarks at the beginning of the international conference Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe: Building Europe together which took place in Brussels on April 17 and 18, 2008.

The role of the civil society in the way towards accession of the Western Balkan countries is of great importance.

Turkey has been negotiating accession since October 2005 and this requires both political will and citizens’ support. Certainly the civil society organizations can contribute for the implementation of these goals. The accession demands tough reforms, so that Turkey can transform itself into a more open, democratic civil society with a strong commitment to the values shared by all Europeans.

Concerning the Western Balkans countries, all of them have come closer to the European Union over the last couple of years. The EU supports their focus and full commitment to the EU future. This year 2008 can be a decisive year for Croatia’s accession. We hope that the country will be able to meet the crucial benchmarks, especially as regards to the judicial area, the economic reforms and fighting corruption.

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia could demonstrate its readiness to undertake accession negotiations soon. At the beginning of June we will be able to assess the country’s reforms achieved.

The task for both Albania and Montenegro is to build a convincing result in implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement and to carry out reforms with determination and results.

And we have some very good news since yesterday concerning the Western Balkans – and for me it is very encouraging, as commissioner responsible for enlargement: yesterday in Bosnia and Herzegovina have adopted important legislative documents which can lead to the signature to its Stabilization and Association Agreement in the next few weeks. Therefore, Bosnia and Herzegovina is passing the necessary gateway towards its European membership.

Serbia is again facing the crucial choice in the parliamentary elections on May 11 and it is now to the Serbian people to choose whether to turn towards European future or risk to stay away. I certainly hope that Serbia will choose Europe and we are fully committed to advance Serbia’s way towards European integration.

Kosovo’s commitment into the democratic and multi-ethnic society is inscribed in the recently-adopted Constitution. The EU supports Kosovo to stand on its own feet and this is the goal of our program.

Overall, the Western Balkans countries are making a steady progress towards the European Union and the current challenges are the Kosovo status and Serbia’s democratic stability. The region has a bright future and this future is in the hands of the European Union.