Mobile | RSS | News Feeds | Facebook | Flickr | Twitter |

Bildt, Rehn say EU enlargement should continue

26/11/2009

STRASBOURG, France -- Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn urged the EU on Wednesday (November 25th) to keep the membership door open to countries in the Western Balkans, as well as Turkey and Iceland. Bildt, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, confirmed that visas for Macedonian, Serbian and Montenegrin citizens will be abolished and said he expects that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Albania would catch up soon. Enlargement has proven to be one of the most successful of all EU policies, he told the European Parliament, while presenting the European Commission's enlargement strategy.

Rehn said Croatia is moving towards its EU membership goal but urged Zagreb to accelerate reforms, especially in fighting corruption and organised crime. He added that Macedonia's progress is convincing but that BiH faces serious problems. Rehn urged Bosnian leaders to agree on reforms needed to bring the country closer to the EU. Turkey, he said, has made progress but has a long way to go before joining the bloc. (B92, Beta, Tanjug, RTS, Fena - 25/11/09)

Latest News

Hague prosecutors consider combining Karadzic, Mladic trials

31/05/2011

Peter Sorensen to head EU delegation in BiH

31/05/2011

Serbian farmers protest cuts in subsidies

31/05/2011

Dacic says Serbia does not face suspension of visa free regime

31/05/2011

Privatisation plans spur more protests in Greece

31/05/2011

Kosovars convicted of drug trafficking, organised crime

31/05/2011

Kosovo's agreement with IMF at risk

31/05/2011

Albania ranks second in Europe for smoking rate

31/05/2011

Shifts cause Romania's ruling coalition to briefly lose Senate majority

31/05/2011

Turkey's Davutoglu says government cannot prevent another aid flotilla to Gaza

31/05/2011

Turkey's Erdogan visits Georgia

31/05/2011

We welcome your comments on SETimes's articles.

It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across Southeast Europe. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While SETimes.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. SETimes.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. SETimes.com welcomes constructive discussion but discourages the use of copy-pasted materials, unaccompanied links and one-line slogans. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.

SETimes's Comments Policy