Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2006 - 2007

10. Croatia has made a good start in the accession negotiations. The country has taken
important steps following the screening exercise in many fields to adapt its
legislation, and is in the process of developing the necessary administrative capacity.
Croatia however needs to considerably step up efforts to meet main challenges such
as judicial reform, the fight against corruption, economic reform and to continue to
fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia.
Good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain key.
11. Turkey continues to sufficiently fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria and has
continued political reforms. However the pace has slowed during the past year.
Significant further efforts are needed in particular on freedom of expression. Further
improvements are also needed on the rights of non-Muslim religious communities,
women's rights, trade union rights and on civilian control of the military. Turkey can
be regarded as a functioning market economy and has improved its ability to take on
the obligations of membership. Good neighbourly relations remain key.
12. As stated in the declaration by the European Community and its Member States of 21
September 2005, the EU expects Turkey to ensure full, non-discriminatory
implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement and the removal
of all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on means of
transport. Failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the overall progress
in the negotiations. The Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of
the December European Council, if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations. It is also
essential that, as stated in the Accession Partnership, Turkey takes concrete steps for
the normalisation of bilateral relations with all EU Member States as soon as
possible.
13. The designation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as a candidate
country in December 2005 gave recognition to this country's reform achievements.
The country has continued to make progress although at a slower pace in 2006. All
Western Balkans countries have made progress following the road-map put forward
by the Commission last year. Each country advances on its own merits. A country's
satisfactory track-record in implementing its obligations under the Stabilisation and
Association Agreements (including trade-related provisions) is an essential element
for the EU to consider any membership application.
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