EU progress reports on membership candidates

CANDIDATE COUNTRIESÂ

CROATIA
* may conclude EU entry talks in 2009, but reforms needed
* judicial system, public administration still inefficient
* must fight organized crime; corruption is widespread
* progress made on minority rights, refugee return
* war crimes prosecution requires attention
* efforts needed to solve border dispute with Slovenia
* needs to overhaul shipyard and steel industries

TURKEY
* progress on reforms limited in 2008 due to a political crisis linked to a constitutional case against the governing party. Some achievements on freedom of expression
* deep judicial reforms needed
* should cooperate on unifying Cyprus
* functioning market economy, macroeconomic stability weak
* alignment with the EU advanced in free movement of goods, intellectual property rights, industrial, antitrust policy
* more alignment needed on agriculture, fisheries, veterinary and phytosanitary policies, state aid

MACEDONIA
* failed to respect international standards in general elections, political dialogue
* graft widespread, political interference in civil service
* not yet functioning market economy
* problems with enforcing legislation

 

COUNTRIES WITH MEMBERSHIP PROSPECTS

ALBANIA
* courts, state administration need strengthening
* corruption, organized crime widespread
* energy sector privatization needed, energy supply unstable
* limited progress on energy, transport, public procurement, veterinary controls and intellectual property rights

MONTENEGRO
* corruption, organized crime are a challenge
* laws need to be better implemented
* progress made on free movement of goods, competition, public procurement, intellectual property rights, food safety

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
* ethnic quarrels hamper democratic institutions
* corruption and organized crime are problems
* no progress on constitutional reform
* progress made on customs, taxation, agriculture, transport, visa administration, border management, migration
* efforts needed on movement of goods, persons and services, employment, state aid, energy, environment and statistics

SERBIA
* may gain official EU candidate status in 2009
* pro-EU consensus strengthened after elections
* improved cooperation with the international war tribunal, but fugitive war criminal Ratko Mladic should be arrested
* public administration functions well, but independence of judiciary needs strengthening
* corruption and money laundering are problems
* constructive stance needed towards Kosovo independence
* little progress on passing EU laws