“Western Balkans one of EU priorities”

EU Foreign Policy High Representative Catherine Ashton says the future of Western Balkans will be one of the priorities of her activities. Ashton also and pointed out that she wants for the whole region to progress towards the Union in the future. “Western Balkans one of EU priorities” In a speech before MPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP), she characterized visa abolishment for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia as a positive step, and described the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina as complex. “Visa liberalization is a positive step for the three countries. When it comes to Bosnia, we should find a more effective strategy that will improve the country's current position,” Ashton underlined. The new high representative for the EU foreign affairs stressed that her priorities will be to strengthen the Union and to assume a more credible role of the EU in the world. Her appearance before the EP marked the beginning of the hearing of the commissioners designate which will last until January 19. Ashton speaks in Brussels on Monday (Tanjug/Xinhua) Fuele pushes for SAA ratification EU enlargement official Stefan Fuele stressed that he wants the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU to be ratified as soon as possible. Fuele said that, taking into consideration the newest progress of Serbia in the implementation of the interim trade agreement, he wants the ratification process for the SAA to begin as soon as the summer of 2010. “That will result in the beginning of a new era in relations between the EU and Serbia,” Fuele said. He said that he is “committed to use all available instruments of the EU to make Kosovo’s integration easier, without prejudging the question of its status." He also said that “preparations should be made for the completion of a full, objective and strict opinion to be given on the candidacy of Montenegro and Albania.” Fuele added that Croatia should be closing its membership negotiations with several more reforms to be made in the legislature, and that Macedonia should receive a date for beginning negotiations with the EU as soon as its dispute with Greece regarding its name is solved.

“Western Balkans one of EU priorities”

In a speech before MPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP), she characterized visa abolishment for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia as a positive step, and described the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina as complex.

“Visa liberalization is a positive step for the three countries. When it comes to Bosnia, we should find a more effective strategy that will improve the country's current position,” Ashton underlined.

The new high representative for the EU foreign affairs stressed that her priorities will be to strengthen the Union and to assume a more credible role of the EU in the world.

Her appearance before the EP marked the beginning of the hearing of the commissioners designate which will last until January 19.

Fuele pushes for SAA ratification

EU enlargement official Stefan Fuele stressed that he wants the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU to be ratified as soon as possible.

Fuele said that, taking into consideration the newest progress of Serbia in the implementation of the interim trade agreement, he wants the ratification process for the SAA to begin as soon as the summer of 2010.

“That will result in the beginning of a new era in relations between the EU and Serbia,” Fuele said.

He said that he is “committed to use all available instruments of the EU to make Kosovo’s integration easier, without prejudging the question of its status."

He also said that “preparations should be made for the completion of a full, objective and strict opinion to be given on the candidacy of Montenegro and Albania.”

Fuele added that Croatia should be closing its membership negotiations with several more reforms to be made in the legislature, and that Macedonia should receive a date for beginning negotiations with the EU as soon as its dispute with Greece regarding its name is solved.