Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2006 - 2007

The Law on Foreigners which is to define the future visa regime has still to be adopted. The
national integrated border management strategy and the implementing action plan were
adopted. The Law on State Borders has not been adopted. The transfer of border control from
the military to the civilian authorities is proceeding. In the field of asylum, the implementing
legislation to regulate procedures for reception and protection of the asylum seekers remains
to be adopted. There is a lack of adequate infrastructure and qualified staff. A number of
readmission agreements has been signed. The legal and financial framework for integration of
people who have been readmitted is still lacking. Some results have been achieved in the fight
against illegal migration but this continues to be an area of concern.
The implementation of the new Law on Police has been rather slow. The legislation on the
security services has not yet been adopted. Concerning the fight against money laundering,
the legislation has been improved but there is still insufficient cooperation between the
competent agencies.
Organised crime remains a source of serious concern. The action plan to implement the
National Strategy for the fight against Organised Crime has not yet been finalised. There is a
need to further reinforce specialised services within police, especially the ones tasked with
investigating financial crime. Appropriate legislation on seizure and freezing of assets, bank
accounts and the proceeds of crime remains to be adopted. The implementation of the Law on
Witness Protection has revealed deficiencies. Concerning trafficking in human beings, the
criminal legislation has been amended and there have been some first convictions. Terrorism
and its financing have been introduced as specific offences in the Criminal Code. The
ratification and implementation of the relevant international conventions needs to be
accelerated. The situation as regards protection of personal data remains a matter of concern.
Kosovo
As regards political criteria, Kosovo has remained stable and made progress in the transfer of
responsibilities to the provisional institutions of self government (PISG). Increased efforts are
needed to strengthen the rule of law. Key short-term priorities of the European Partnership
have only been partly addressed.
As regards democracy and the rule of law, the status issue has dominated Kosovo's politics.
The main Kosovo Albanian political parties have developed a more constructive dialogue
which will need to be sustained. The focus on status has led to the swift implementation of
some UN standards but has delayed reforms. The status settlement should provide the basis
for a stable democracy for all Kosovans regardless of their ethnic background, consolidating
the rule of law and promoting human and minority rights. Kosovo's institutions must start to
develop a vision for Kosovo's future beyond status with a focus on sound policy-making,
prudent fiscal policies, efficient institutions and good governance at all levels.
Progress has been made in strengthening the Assembly's role. An important reform package
was adopted, improving executive oversight, financial accountability and transparency.
However, Assembly committees are not always able to fulfil their role in the legislative
process, partly due to a lack of qualified staff working for the secretariats of the committees.
They do not yet have the practice of appointed rapporteurs.
The succession of the late President Rugova and the establishment of a new government went
smoothly. Kosovo's progress under the Stabilisation and Association Process is now a top
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