1. Overview on Enlargement Countries
PGSC Zadar
October 2016 1

2. What about Enlargement?
Perspective of Enlargement is maintained and
Enlargement Negotiations may continue, are revived, or may in some cases even be started
However: No enlargement under this Commission, reflecting technical preparations of enlargement countries
Juncker Commission is in office until 2019
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

3. What's new?
Enlargement strategy remains focused on fundamentals first: These are rule of law, public administration reform and economic governance and competitiveness.
Revised enlargement methodology (comparability and benchmarking) was introduced in last year's Enlargement Strategy through pilot chapters . In 2016 further finetuning (intermediate steps) and additional chapters under the new methodology.
Generally much more focus on readiness and state of play in addition to progress over the last year.
In this context, importance of gathering more evidence and hence more importance of availability and quality of statistical data,
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

4. What's new?
Enlargement package 2016 with country reports to be adopted on 9 November 2016
Last year's multi-annual strategy remains valid and is basis for this year's package.
After the 2016 package, NEAR will move to a spring cycle, i.e. subsequent country package in This will also allow us to merge the policy guidance on the Economic Reform Programmes into the Enlargement package
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

5. What's new? Economic dimension
Economic Reform Programmes introduced in 2015
These programmes contain medium-term macroeconomic projections, budgetary plans for the next three years and a structural reform agenda. The latter includes reforms to boost competitiveness and improve conditions for growth and job creation.
Joint Ministerial Conclusions adopted on 25 May 2016 by EU Ministers and Ministers of partner countries
Country Specific Policy guidance under:
Increased importance of statistics in this context

6. Overview by country
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

7. Turkey Turkey is strategic importance for the EU.
Key country for solving refugee crisis.
Country hosts close to 3m refugees.
Failed coup was an attack on democracy; however, concerns about freedom of expression and independence of the judiciary especially after the failed coup
Upgrading of the Customs Union in the pipeline: Com may to this end present draft negotiation directive by the end of 2016.U
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

8. Turkey Refugee Facility total value 3 billions Euro for 2016-17:
Allocations for humanitarian and non- humanitarian aid are now EUR billion for Amounts contracted have increased to EUR billion. The Commission is making all necessary efforts to ensure an acceleration of disbursements under the Facility, which have reached until now EUR 467 million.
Focus on ensuring the speedy processing of all the programmes targeted and their effective and financially sound delivery in full cooperation with the Turkish authorities.
Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

9. Montenegro Candidate Country since 2010
Track record on chapter 23 and 24 remains crucial for further progress in negotiations
24 chapters opened (among which statistics)
2 closed
Many positive aspects in the transformation of the countries. Still many challenges regarding fiscal policy, public procurement and administrative capacity.
Montenegro to join NATO soon (treaty under ratification)

10. Serbia Candidate Country since 1 March 2012
Accession negotiations launched, screening finalised
Track record on chapter 23 and 24 crucial for further progress in negotiations.
Elections in April 2016 confirmed the previous government
EU expects Serbia to stick to its commitments and strategic goals (normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, EU-membership)
Screening report on chapter 18 soon to be sent to EU Council

11. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Candidate country since 2005
Commission recommended since 2009 to open accession negotiations, but in 2015 conditional recommendation depending on the implementation of the political agreement and urgent reform priorities
Name issue with Greece
Migration: over € 50 million support to migration and border management including about €19 million relating to the refugee crisis
Early parliamentary elections in December 2016 – important to ensure credible electoral process

12. Albania Candidate Country status since 2014.
Country fulfils SAA obligations.
Country is as well on track on the 5 priorities against which progress towards opening of negotiations will be measured:
These are: Professional and de-politicised administration, impartiality of the judiciary, fight against organised crime, fight against corruption, protection of human rights.
But many challenges ahead, notably on track record on judiciary reforms.

13. Bosnia-Herzegovina Positive momentum on the reform agenda in 2015
Enlargement process key trigger for reforms in the country
Stabilization and Association Agreement in force since June Essential to follow up commitments in this context.
BiH submitted application for membership on 15 February
Council requested Commission opinion on this application on 20 September
To this end Commission will sent questionnaire containing about 3000 questions on implementation of acquis communautaire to Sarajevo

14. Kosovo *
Worrying political situation: Normal parliamentary function still not possible: Crucial to stick to democratic rules and stay committed to reform agenda.
SAA in force since 1 April 2016.
Com proposed to add Kosovo to Schengen free country list in May EP and Council to decide
Kosovo needs to stay committed to dialogue with Belgrade and address the many challenges ahead, especially on the rule of law.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence