The European Commission adopted today its annual Enlargement Package, including seven individual reports, assessing the implementation of the European Union's enlargement policy which is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality. “The European Union Enlargement is an investment in peace, security, prosperity and stability in Europe. And it is in our own interest to have a successful enlargement policy,” Mogherini said, welcoming the progress made by the Western Balkans partners.

She informed that the European Commission recommended that the Council decides to open accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania in light of progress achieved, maintaining and deepening the current reform momentum. To support this, the Commission would apply the reinforced approach for the negotiating chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security.

Additionally, the European Commission is also working towards an opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application and with the Kosovo authorities cooperation persists on the basis of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The EU will also continue to facilitate the dialogue on normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina including on the achievement of a legally binding agreement.

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Mogherini further highlighted the need for continued reforms in particular in fundamental areas of the rule of law, human rights, democratic institutions and public administration as well as on economic development and competiveness. “Countries must ensure that the reforms are properly implemented and that they demonstrate a track record of concrete results, not because Brussels asks, but because this is what the people of the region, the citizens, are expecting from their institutions and their leaderships.”

Federica Mogherini emphasised the EU's clear engagement and commitment to the region as a whole, the six partners and the perspective of the enlargement process. She will travel to the Western Balkans from 17 to 19 April and visit Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

For detailed findings and recommendations see:

Strategy Paper: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417_strategy_paper_en.pdf

Montenegro: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3409_en.htm

Serbia: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3406_en.htm

Turkey: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3407_en.htm

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3405_en.htm

Albania: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3403_en.htm

Bosnia and Herzegovina: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3408_en.htm

Kosovo: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3404_en.htm

Economic Reform Programmes for the Western Balkan countries and Turkey: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-erp-factsheet.pdf