Summary: "Open debate on enlargement" - Speech by EU Commissioner Rehn (7 May 2007: Brussels)
Speech by Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Enlargement, "Open debate on enlargement", European Parliament, Foreign Affairs Committee, Brussels
Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of National Parliaments,
I am delighted to address this distinguished audience. I would like to begin by looking back to the results of the December European Council. After the Summit we had headlines reporting that "EU leaders are closing doors ". This was misleading spinning.
The correct headlines should have read "the EU keeps its doors open to the South Eastern Europe". This door is open to Turkey, Croatia and the other countries of the Western Balkans. We look forward to these countries to be ready to walk through that door, once each one of them meets the accession criteria.
The EU leaders were building a renewed consensus on enlargement. We need to maintain the EU's soft power to encourage democratic and economic transformation whilst, at the same time, ensuring EU's capacity to gradually integrate new members.
We need to ensure public support for enlargement. Maintaining rigour in the process and strict conditionality is essential to safeguard this support. So is confidence about the EU's integration capacity. EU institutional reform is needed to improve the effectiveness and legitimacy of the decision-making of an enlarged Union.
The European Parliament and national parliaments have an important role and responsibility in the enlargement process. Every key decision in the accession process is taken unanimously by the democratically elected governments. National parliaments ratify the decisions. The European Parliament gives its assent. Thus, all key decisions are taken by the democratically elected bodies.
In these introductory remarks I shall focus on our first and foremost political challenges at the moment, namely the political situation in Turkey and in Serbia. I am glad to update you on the situation in other enlargement countries when answering your questions.
Croatia
First, though, on a positive note: Accession negotiations with Croatia are progressing well. The authorities now need to step up efforts in key areas, such as judicial reform, the fight against corruption, refugee return and minority rights. They need to address economic challenges such as restructuring of the shipbuilding and steel sectors.
Provided that Croatia reforms its judiciary and economy with full determination and concrete results, it could be able to carry out its EU obligations around the end of decade. Croatia is a leading example and benchmark for the other countries of the Western Balkans on their road towards the European Union.
Turkey
There is now a very sensitive political situation in Turkey, reflecting an increasing polarisation on the issue of secularism and democracy.
Discussions among political parties over the last months have resulted in the failure to find a compromise presidential candidate.
The Turkish Armed Forces made a statement in which they showed concern at the current debate on secularism, and stressed that they would take action, would circumstances so require. I reacted immediately to this statement, expressing deep concern, and recalling the supremacy of democratic civilian power over the military. If a country wants to become a member of the EU, it needs to respect the principle of democratic secularism, part of our Copenhagen criteria.
Regardless of the unfortunate events leading to the ruling of Turkey's Constitutional Court, this decision should now be respected by all parties, as has happened. The respect of state institutions is necessary to preserve political and economic stability in the country.
Now attention is focusing on early general election, scheduled at least so far on 22 July. In parallel, a package of constitutional amendments is currently under discussion in the Parliament.
Europe needs to show patience and prudence with Turkey. Turkey is undergoing a difficult but historic process of transformation. It can emerge from the crisis with a stronger constitutional and democratic framework. With a new Parliament and President it can get a new start in the reform process. This is indispensable for Turkey's progress in the EU accession, which remains our shared objective.
Serbia
The Commission remains fully committed to European perspective of Serbia. We are ready to resume the SAA negotiations with Serbia, provided that a new democratic government meets the conditions concerning cooperation with the ICTY.
This said, I am troubled by the inability of the reform-oriented and pro-European parties, who won the elections last January, to form a government so far, and thus to create preconditions to better ICTY cooperation. This is a litmus test of the rule of law in Serbia.
In spite of the worrying signals coming out of the Serbian Parliament today, I hope the reform-oriented parties will still give careful consideration to the wish of a majority of Serbia's electorate for a European future for Serbia, and act accordingly.
I understand that the European Parliament intends to prepare a report about Serbia. I welcome this initiative. It will help to clarify to Serbia that it has a clear perspective to join the Union, if it takes the right steps in this direction, and meets the conditions that are expected of a future Member State.
Kosovo
UN Security Council mission to the region was useful to assess the situation on the ground and to see the need of laying the basis for a better future for the people of all communities.
Our priority now is that the Security Council quickly finds a sustainable solution to the Kosovo status based on Mr Ahtisaari's package. Any further delay could increase the risk of instability in Kosovo and the region. The essence of decision is European unity, which is necessary to achieve a sound resolution of the UN Security Council. I am satisfied that we have been recently able to further reinforce our unity. It is indispensable that we maintain this state of affairs.
The final status settlement will have to be anchored in a clear European perspective, so as to enhance the stability in Kosovo and in the wider region. We should not allow Kosovo to further fall behind the countries of the region. It must have the possibility to progress within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Kosovo is a European issue. We have learned since the early 1990's that the European perspective is a driving force for reforms and an important factor for stability. As the rest of the region, also Kosovo has a clear European perspective.
SEECP summit
Later this week together with President Barroso and Chancellor Merkel I will participate in the summit of the South East Europe Co-operation Process in Zagreb. The meeting should allow the region to take a major step forward taking ownership of regional co-operation.
I am glad that the process of the Stability Pact transition is running smoothly thanks to the commitment of the countries of the region, the work of the Croatian SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office, and the contribution of the Stability Pact. The Commission fully participates in the process providing political and financial support.
Visa facilitation
We have recently concluded negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the Western Balkan countries. This will make the European perspective more tangible to the citizens and facilitate people-to-people contacts between the EU and the Western Balkans.
The conclusion of visa facilitation agreements is a first step on a path towards visa free travel. This perspective should encourage the Western Balkan countries to accelerate the necessary reforms and reinforce their cooperation at regional level.
Mr Chairman, dear colleagues,
We have major challenges ahead. We will continue to closely monitor the developments on the ground and present our findings in the 2007 enlargement package in autumn. I trust I can count on your support in implementing EU's enlargement strategy.
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