Nyheter
Commissioner Füle to visit Iceland
24/05/2012 Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle will visit Iceland on 24 and 25 May to discuss efforts for the forthcoming period in the accession negotiations. Less than a year since the start of substantive membership negotiations there is steady progress with 15 chapters opened, 10 already provisionally closed and next chapters being prepared to be tackled. "Negotiations with Iceland are progressing well. We expect to open further negotiating chapters at the next Intergovernmental Conference on 22 June. Achievements so far bode well for the more sensitive issues ahead, and I hope to see progress in more policy areas by the end of the year," Commissioner Füle said in Strasbourg before leaving for Reykjavik. During his visit he will discuss the latest steps in the accession process with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Speaker of the Parliament and members of the parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, Mayors of the country's major municipalities as well as representatives of the Consultative Group on Iceland's Accession to the EU and representatives of the opposition.
Montenegro Spring Report adopted by the Commission
22/05/2012 The European Commission adopted a report on Montenegro's progress in the implementation of reforms on 22 May, with a view to opening accession negotiations with the country in June 2012. The report concludes that Montenegro has made further progress in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights, including in the fight against corruption and organised crime. In this light and taking into account the Council conclusions of December 2011, the Commission reiterates its recommendation that accession negotiations with Montenegro be opened in June.
Positive EU-Turkey agenda launched in Ankara
22/05/2012 The new positive agenda, intended to bring fresh dynamics into the EU-Turkey relations was launched on 17 May by Commissioner Štefan Füle and the Turkish Minister for European Affairs and Chief EU negotiatior Egemen Bağış. "The positive agenda is a bridge, but not above or around the accession negotiations. It is a brigde leading towards them", stated Commissioner Füle on this occasion. "It is not just an isolated element in the relationship between Turkey and the EU. It is an opportunity to establish the framework to integrate a number of key aspects of our relationship and to aproach them in positive spirit based on dialogue and openness." The aim of the positive agenda, endorsed by the EU Member States and by Turkey, is to keep the accession process going and put it back on track after a period of stagnation.
EU Provides Vessels for the Border Police 
[73 KB]
For many years Albania has struggled to police effectively its maritime borders. Illicit trafficking has constituted a security threat to Albania and to its neighbours. The Albanian capacity to patrol its maritime borders remains a major concern, although the government’s efforts together with a strong international presence at sea, have had a positive impact.
Helping the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina adapt to EU Banking Standards [489 KB]
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Central Bank (CBBH) has contributed to the country’s post-war recovery. It has made significant progress towards introducing administrative and policy mechanisms that will allow it to participate fully in the European System of Central Banks when Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes an EU member.
Ears Wide Open – EU Promotes Inclusion of People with Disabilities [379 KB]
There are around 430,000 people with disabilities in Croatia, 9.7% of the total population. The Ears Wide Open project was designed to improve working conditions, communication and integration of students with hearing and other disabilities, both in schools and later in workplaces.
“Let me tell you a secret about the environment” [132 KB] Teaching children about the environment is vital for the future. That is why the EU, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, organised a project around a play based on the brochure
"Let me tell you a secret about the environment".
Efficient Energy Use in Public Buildings [580 KB] Kosovo faces a big challenge in the field of energy efficiency due to low levels of energy production and high levels of energy consumption. The EU funded a project to invest in energy-saving measures in public buildings, which brought
environmental and economic benefits.
Modernising Quality Infrastructure [153 KB]
Montenegro's preparations for European Union accession in the area of free movement of goods are moderately advanced. The country needs to build up its institutional and administrative capacity, enhance cooperation between State institutions and align its legal framework with EU legislation.
"Garden of Serbia" - Helping Serbia's Agriculture Sector [662 KB]
Even though it is one of the oldest industries in Serbia, agricultural production still faces several weaknesses and gaps in its value chain. Producers are constantly facing new requirements for food safety and quality standards in the processing sector yet there is a lack of demonstration centres for training and support for new initiatives.
Setting Up a National Food Reference Laboratory [349 KB]
Designation of National Reference Laboratories is one of the requirements of EU legislation on official food and feed controls. In Turkey there was a need for a National Reference Laboratory to provide a higher quality food safety system and guidance for alignment with the relevant standards. The project was launched in 2005 to fill this gap and meet EU accession requirements.
Customs Legislation Closer to EU Standards [147 KB]
Customs legislation in the former Republic of Macedonia is well aligned with the body of EU law. But further measures are necessary. That is why, with the help of EU experts, the Macedonian customs legislation and procedures were assessed, and evaluated against the requirements of EU law.