EU Council Conclusions on the Western Balkans

2749th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting, Brussels, 15 September 2006

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. The Council expressed concern at recent cases of inflammatory rhetoric used during the election campaign. In this context, the Council reaffirmed its unequivocal commitment to the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement and the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

2. The Council emphasised that the elections scheduled for 1 October should be conducted in accordance with international standards. In the light of the envisaged closure of OHR, these elections will be particularly significant as the leaders chosen will have to take greater responsibility for the realisation of BiH's European perspective.

3. While welcoming the progress made on the negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the Council regretted that many key reforms had been delayed in 2006. It called upon the relevant authorities to agree and implement as soon as possible the reforms necessary for the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement as set out in the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions of 12 December 2005. In particular, the Council expressed concern over the lack of progress towards the implementation of the October 2005 agreement on police restructuring, and looked forward to the swift removal of this obstacle.

Montenegro

4. The Council welcomed the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections in the Republic of Montenegro on 10 September and the International Election Observation Mission's preliminary assessment that the elections were conducted largely in accordance with international standards. The Council called upon authorities in Podgorica to address the remaining challenges listed in the IEOM assessment.

5. The Council looked forward to the smooth formation of a new Government and a swift agreement in the Parliament on the procedures for adoption of a new Constitution, fulfilling European standards, and its subsequent adoption. In this respect, the Council stressed that a continuous dialogue between the new government and the opposition will be necessary. The Council expects that the new Government, once it is formed, will continue to work resolutely on the European reform agenda in line with the European Partnership. In particular, the Council underlined the importance of reforms in the area of freedom, justice and security and building up the administrative capacity. The Council welcomed the Commission´s intention to re-launch shortly the SAA negotiations with the Republic of Montenegro while emphasizing that the pace and conclusion of these negotiations will depend on Montenegro´s progress in relevant reforms. The EU remains committed to supporting the Republic of Montenegro on its European course.

Serbia

6. The Council recalled that a peaceful and prosperous Serbia fully integrated into the family of European nations is very important for stability in the region. The EU is ready to resume negotiations with Serbia on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement as soon as full cooperation of Serbia with the ICTY is achieved. The Council urged the Serbian authorities to step up their efforts in implementing their Action Plan in order to meet this criterion."

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• EU Council Conclusions on Western Balkans  (22/1/2007)
• "The European perspective for the Western Balkans" - Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn (16/1/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on the Western Balkans (17/7/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Western Balkans - 2737th External Relations Council meeting  (12/6/2006)
• EU Enlargement and Western Balkans - Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn (10/2/2006)