"Serbia and Montenegro could start next phase"

EC President Jose Manuel Barroso says the situation in the Western Balkans is "quite complex". He added that the completion of Croatia's membership negotiations with the European Union would be an incentive for others in the region. "Serbia and Montenegro could start next phase" Speaking at the meeting of parliament members of the EU and countries of the Western Balkans, which ended on April 14, Barroso pointed out that Serbia and Montenegro are in a position to start the next phase of negotiations, if the momentum of reforms is sustained until October in these two countries. Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, which is currently holding the EU presidency, also addressed the parliamentarians, stating that the completion of Croatia's EU membership negotiations should not be brought into connection with the candidate status and the start of membership negotiations for Serbia. Orban reiterated that Montenegro is also expecting a date for the start of talks on admission to the Union, and estimated that every country should progress towards membership among the European 27 in accordance with its achievements. Barroso underlined that many challenges lie ahead - from the need for making progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, to overcoming the political stalemate in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania, and solving the issue of the name of the FYR Macedonia.

"Serbia and Montenegro could start next phase"

Speaking at the meeting of parliament members of the EU and countries of the Western Balkans, which ended on April 14, Barroso pointed out that Serbia and Montenegro are in a position to start the next phase of negotiations, if the momentum of reforms is sustained until October in these two countries.

Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, which is currently holding the EU presidency, also addressed the parliamentarians, stating that the completion of Croatia's EU membership negotiations should not be brought into connection with the candidate status and the start of membership negotiations for Serbia.

Orban reiterated that Montenegro is also expecting a date for the start of talks on admission to the Union, and estimated that every country should progress towards membership among the European 27 in accordance with its achievements.

Barroso underlined that many challenges lie ahead - from the need for making progress in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, to overcoming the political stalemate in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania, and solving the issue of the name of the FYR Macedonia.