State of Enlargement MGSC Luxemburg March 2014 1

Turkey Candidate Country in negotiations since 2005 14 chapters opened: Stalemate overcome due to positive agenda Chapter on Regional Policy opened in autumn 2013 Chapter 17 (economic and monetary policy has potential for opening as well) Further Progress depends largely on Turkish efforts (Cyprus question, fundamental rights) Readmission agreement possibly for signing which is pre-requisite for Visa free travel regime

Iceland Still Candidate Country April 2013: National elections have resulted in a change of government. New government is very eurosceptic. Parliamentary majority for withdrawing EU Membership application without prior referendum However, this did not happen (so far) 40 k of Islanders have signed a petition for a referendum on continuation of the negotiations Assistance: All IPA stopped (including ongoing contracts)

Montenegro Candidate Country since 2010 Negotiation framework issued in June 2012 Screening finalised Screening report on statistics presented to Council Country position in statistics pending Track record on chapter 23 and 24 crucial for further progress in negotiations Opening of 6-9 chapters (GR and IT presidency) planned during 2014 Science & research, education & culture opened and closed

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, Serbia Was granted status of a Candidate Country on 1 March 2012 Accesion negotiations launched during 21 January 2014intergovernmental conference Screening in the course of 2014. Explanatory meeting on statistics in May, bi-lateral screening in November 2014. Track record on chapter 23 and 24 and relations with Kosovo crucial for further progress in negotiations Delivery of action plans on chapter 23 & 24 will be key for further progress: *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Candidate Country since 2005 SAA entered into force in 2004. The second stage of the SAA ( e.g.capital flow related issues) was foreseen in 2009. Overwhelming support by MS but blocked in Council High Level Reform dialogue launched by the Commissioner Fuele on reform challenges Commission has proposed the 5th time opening of negotiations intending to submit quickly a settlement proposal on the name issue Movement in Council unlikely under Greek presidency

Albania Opinion on application was negative in 2010 Positive evaluation of the Candidate Country Potential in the 2013 regular report Possibility to go for Candidate Country in 2014 if momentum is kept in meeting key priorities in the areas of judicial and public administration, fight against corruption and fighting organised crime Com optimistic that June European Council will be able to grant CC status

Bosnia-Herzegovina HLAD –High Level Accession dialogue started in June 2012 Progress in meeting political objectives not obvious Efforts to bring in line the BiH constitution with the European Convention of Human Rights have still not yet come to fruition (Sejdic-Finci ruling of the European Court of Human Rights) Certain instability in the run-up to the elections (protests) Elections in October probably not in line with European standards as the Convention of Human Rights (rule of law!) Progress in the hands of the leaders of the country/entities

Kosovo * The feasibility study on the Stabilisation and Association agreement for KOSOVO* has concluded that it is indeed possible to do such an agreement without the country being fully recognized by all MS. Following a Council decision negotiatios started on SAA-scheduled for finalisation in summer 2014 Visa facilitation process ongoing. Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on agreement ongoing *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

Northern Cyprus Stalemate ended as the leaders of the 2 entities started settlement tals again in February 2014 So far no results Progress linked to the negotiations with Turkey Comprehensive settlement of the issue in the portfolio of DG Elarg Technical help for Northern Cyprus continues *

Recap: Who can join? EU Widening–Entry of new Member States into the EU: “Any European State which respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States, may apply to become a member of the Union“ (Treaty on the European Union, Art.49 and Art 6(1) *