(20 October 2021) – Yesterday, the European Commission adopted its 2021 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the progress made by the Western Balkans and Turkey on their respective paths towards the EU.
A Communication details the state of play in each of the seven countries concerned: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.
All six Western Balkans partners have committed to establishing a Common Regional Market, building on EU rules and standards.
As for Turkey, “the EU’s serious concerns on continued deterioration of the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary have not been credibly addressed.”
Accession candidates need, as a matter of priority, to deliver genuine and sustainable results on key issues: the rule of law, justice reform, fight against corruption and organised crime, security, fundamental rights, functioning of democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as on economic development and competitiveness.