European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has told the European Parliament’s foreign policy committee that he has achieved five out of the six goals that he set for himself before the end of his five-year term in 2009.
 
Speaking to the committee on September 2 2009, Rehn said that these goals were that in 2009, there would be 27 EU member states; that the accession process with Croatia would reach its final stage; that the other Western Balkan countries would be "firmly anchored into European orientation"; that Turkey would be firmly on the European track; that Kosovo’s status would be settled; and that Cyprus would be re-unified.
 
"Five out of these six goals have been met so far, though challenges remain, including from bilateral issues which have become European problems," Rehn said.
 
"If Croatia meets the outstanding benchmarks in time, and the border issue with Slovenia is solved soon, we may be able to conclude the accession negotiations in the first half of 2010. I hope this will be the case," Rehn said.
 
He said that he hoped to see a re-launch of key reforms in Turkey in the coming period, as the progress in its accession negotiations depends on the progress made in the legislative reforms, especially those that advance fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
 
"We welcome the recent consultations on a serious Kurdish initiative. I hope that they will result in concrete actions to reinforce the cultural and linguistic rights of all Turks as well as the social and economic development of the Southeast.
 
"We expect that Turkey will also play a constructive role as well in the ongoing settlement talks in Cyprus and contribute to a favourable political atmosphere," Rehn said.
 
Rehn said that if Macedonia met its remaining benchmarks, then the European Commission could be able to recommend the opening of its accession negotiations this year as well.
 
"The name issue is not a condition of the accession process, but it is clear that a solution would create a much more positive environment for continued EU integration," Rehn said, referring to the long-standing dispute between Athens and the former Yugoslav republic over the use of the name Macedonia.
 
"Montenegro continues to deliver good news," Rehn said.
 
"It is a case in point of what can be achieved when a genuine national consensus on EU integration is reached and put to work. We may be able to start preparing the Commission's opinion on Montenegro's EU application in a few months."
 
Albania's recent elections were better than in previous years, though there were still shortcomings, he said.
 
"We are waiting for OSCE/ODIHR to provide its final assessment on the conduct of the elections. Let's see what happens. The Commission is ready to prepare its opinion on Albania's membership application once the Council requests it.
 
"Meanwhile, Albania continues to implement its Stabilisation and Association Agreement."
 
Rehn said that he had told the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina on several occasions that 2009 could be a crucial year.
 
"They can still meet the requirements for visa free travel to the EU in 2010. They should also meet the conditions for a transition from Dayton stabilisation to European integration, which would mean the closure of the OHR and the reinforcement of the European presence.
 
"This would open the door to an application for EU membership and present an enormous opportunity. Unfortunately, I see few signs of leadership in BiH today to lead us there," Rehn said.
 
"It is evident that BiH will continue to require plenty of attention and strategic foresight from the EU and from our international partners," he said.
 
In Serbia , the government was continuing to work hard on EU-related reforms, he told the committee.
 
Serbia is implementing the Interim Agreement unilaterally despite its difficult economic situation, thereby demonstrating its strong EU credentials. Serbia is also bringing forward its National Programme for EU credentials National Programme for EU Integration effectively, he said.
 
"In my view, the Council should soon recognise Serbia's progress and unblock the Interim Agreement," according to Rehn.
 
Kosovo was "stable but fragile".
 
The legal framework is developing well, implementation less so.
 
"I am concerned about the functioning of the rule of law and of the judiciary. We will present a study on Kosovo in October, assessing what Kosovo needs to do to deliver on its EU perspective. Key areas of the study are mobility, trade and regional co-operation."
 
Rehn said that on Cyprus, "the settlement talks led by (Greek Cypriot president Dimitris) Christofias and (Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet) Talat areentering a decisive phase, where real give-and-take negotiations should take place".
 
Rehn said that he hoped that 2009-2010 would bring about treunification for Cyprus.
 
"President (Jose) Barroso and the Commission will do everything we can to help," Rehn said.
 
As to Iceland, which is applying for EU membership, Rehn said that it was "European country with long and deep democratic traditions, and it is also already deeply integrated with the EU through the EEA as well as participating in the Schengen area".
 
This accounted for about two-thirds of the EU acquis, but Rehn said, there was no fast-track procedure for Iceland, and no shortcut to EU membership.
 
"The criteria that need to be fulfilled are the same for all applicant countries based on the "own merits" principle. The Commission will prepare a rigorous and objective opinion using the same methodology as for other applicants," Rehn told the committee.