Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-07-07-Speech-3-378"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20100707.27.3-378"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
I fully agree with the view that more efforts are needed to ensure Albania’s justice system can deliver in an efficient and timely manner. Albania needs to rigorously implement legislation and action plans on anti-corruption and in relation to fighting organised crime and ensure sufficient investigative and judicial capacity.
The Commission has made IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) financial support in the area of the judiciary and law enforcement one of its main priorities, allocating some EUR 55 million in the period 2007-2010.
On the freedom and independence of media, more needs to be done. The legal framework needs to be completed. Transparency of media ownership will be tackled. Intimidation and influence on journalists are of concern.
Further issues are the effective implementation of the public administration reform strategy and ensuring an independent, professional and meritocratic civil service. Also, more needs to be done to address domestic violence and trafficking of women and children.
Now, let me turn to Kosovo. Kosovo remains a priority. I am particularly grateful to Mrs Lunacek for the excellent work she has done on this Kosovo resolution. Your support is crucial, especially now, on the eve of the issuing of the International Court of Justice opinion.
European Union Member States have different views on Kosovo’s status. However, Member States are united in their engagement with Kosovo, and so is the Commission. The discussions on Mrs Lunacek’s resolution confirm that Parliament is equally committed in its support for Kosovo’s European perspective, as part of the region at large.
I visited Kosovo twice this year. My second visit also included the north and I had useful exchanges with the local community, opened the new European Union Information Point, and visited the newly established European Union House. I confirmed my assurances of the European Union’s continued support to the local community and called for cooperation and dialogue.
We are making good progress on the proposals made in our Kosovo communication of last October. The Council invited us to support Kosovo’s progress towards the European Union, in line with the European perspective of the region. The timing and scope of Kosovo’s progress is determined by Kosovo itself.
We launched the Stabilisation and Association Process dialogue with Kosovo in January. A full cycle of sector meetings has been completed.
We are also moving forward on visas. The Council agreed that Kosovo should progress with the perspective of eventual visa liberalisation, once all conditions are met. In this context, the Commission continues to work with the Kosovo authorities to ensure that all the requirements to launch a visa dialogue are met. Kosovo adopted a readmission law on 25 June.
The European Union has played a major role in promoting stability, security, democracy and fundamental freedoms in the Western Balkans, which are now firmly anchored in the enlargement process. There are positive developments, which we can build on today. Accession negotiations with Croatia have stepped up a gear and are now entering a crucial phase. Comprehensive stabilisation and association agreements are being put in place and implemented across the region, and the political and economic reform process continues.
The services of Commissioner Malmström are verifying its European Union compatibility as we speak. Kosovo still needs to ensure that reintegration arrangements are adequate to cope with returnees in a satisfactory manner. We are in very close touch with Priština to provide guidance and support.
We are also moving ahead on trade. The Commission adopted its proposal to extend the existing autonomous trade preferences for Kosovo until 2015 back in February. The ball is now in your court.
A comprehensive trade fact-finding mission is in Priština again, as we speak, to assess the possibility for the European Union and Kosovo to prepare for negotiations on a trade agreement. We see such an agreement as essential for fostering Kosovo’s socio-economic development, which the draft resolution rightly highlights.
Finally, for the first time this year, Kosovo will take part in IPA Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) programmes with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. Programmes with Montenegro will follow next year.
In conclusion, the year ahead will be an important phase for Albania, Kosovo and the region at large.
Concerning Kosovo, whatever the International Court of Justice says, I trust the European Union will continue to actively engage with Kosovo to ensure it stays connected to developments in the rest of the Western Balkans.
Concerning Albania, I hope that the political picture, as well as pragmatic progress on the ground – for which those in power and those in opposition share the responsibility – will allow us to establish a clear path ahead in the opinion the Commission will present in the autumn.
In both cases, I am glad to be able to count on the joint support of the European Parliament and the Commission in fostering the countries’ and the region’s efforts.
Reforms, however, must be consolidated. The democratic foundations in some of the countries remain fragile. Political leaders bear a huge responsibility in this respect to overcome differences and steer their countries and the region towards better governance and away from the risk of destabilisation.
The two very well-grounded and valuable draft resolutions on the agenda today confirm this trend and show that the European Parliament remains a key supporter of the stabilisation and association process with the Western Balkans, leading the region to eventual membership.
I wish to thank the European Parliament – and Mr Chountis, in particular – for the good and balanced report on Albania. I welcome the opportunity to discuss Albania with you today, at this key moment for the country.
I fully share Parliament’s view regarding the political situation in Albania. The lack of constructive political dialogue and the lack of a settlement of disagreements, following the June 2009 elections, between government and opposition are of concern. Both sides need to return to constructive political dialogue and find a solution based on respect for the Constitution and transparency. OSCE-ODIHR recommendations need to be fully addressed in view of the spring 2011 local elections.
The ongoing political stalemate is hindering important reform steps, which are also necessary for the country’s progress on the European Union integration path.
I appreciate the constructive role of the two Parliament principles played in the mediation initiative for a solution to the stalemate and I welcome Parliament’s call for a cross-party consensus on key reforms.
On the positive side, as regards the visa dialogue, the country has made important progress. The Commission’s proposal of 27 May for short stay, visa-free travel reflects this."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata | |
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples