Commenting on the Task Force, the Chair, Kristian Vigenin, said: “EU Enlargement Policy is again picking up new momentum. I would like to praise Commissioner Stefan Fϋle for all his efforts to reach these important results. The progress reports have shown that the EU Enlargement is still able to deliver. The successes of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro are a clear evidence that the doors of the EU are not closed. These countries have set the path towards EU membership in the region. All Western Balkan countries must respect the principles of commitment, conditionality and credibility, which have to continue to be situated at the core of the accession progress. Moreover, I agree that it is essential to start all accession negotiations with key chapters early in the process”.
The Chair Kristian Vigenin also said: “The progress of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro must give a fresh drive to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and FYR of Macedonia. These countries must build on this new momentum to move on the road to EU membership. It is urgent that the political elites of these countries make renewed efforts of compromise not to put in danger their future in the EU. Furthermore, specific internal or external challenges, such as the name issue of FYR of Macedonia, cannot continue to stall the aspirations of an entire country and its people”.
At the meeting, participants also agreed on an ambitious Task Force plan of activities for 2012. The first step will be to provide political information and input to the preparation of the EP Reports on Enlargement countries foreseen for early 2012.
Representatives from the region taking part to the meeting in order to discuss EU Enlargement and progressive perspectives on the accession process included: Arta Dade, Deputy Chairwoman of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and International Secretary, PS Albania; Sasa Magazinovic, President of the Parliamentary Group and International Secretary, SDP BiH; Neven Mimica, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, SDP Croatia; Zoran Popov, International Secretary, SDUM FYR Macedonia; Nikola Ivezaj, III Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPS Montenegro; Jelena Mitrovic, Presidium Member, SDP Montenegro; Jelena Milinovic, International Secretary of DS Youth, Serbia; and Jure Štajnbaher, Vice-President of ECOSY, Slovenia.
Representatives from the EU included MEP Hannes Swoboda, Vice-President of the S&D Group and EP Rapporteur on Croatia, MEP Tanja Fajon, EP Rapporteur on Visa Liberalisation, MEP Victor Bostinaru, Vice-Chair of the EP Delegation for South East Europe, MP Dietmar Nietan, SPD Germany, and MP Kenneth G. Forslund, SAP Sweden.
