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EU positive on Balkan entry bids EU positive on Balkan entry bids
(about 2 hours later)
The EU expects all western Balkan countries by the end of 2008 to have signed initial deals paving the way for eventual entry into the bloc.The EU expects all western Balkan countries by the end of 2008 to have signed initial deals paving the way for eventual entry into the bloc.
The announcement affects Serbia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania.The announcement affects Serbia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania.
The EU welcomed Serbia's co-operation with a war crimes court and urged entry hopeful Turkey to improve human rights.The EU welcomed Serbia's co-operation with a war crimes court and urged entry hopeful Turkey to improve human rights.
The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is regarded as the first step to full EU membership.The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is regarded as the first step to full EU membership.
"I expect that in 2008 conditions will be fulfilled and thus we will be able to complete Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with all countries in the region," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels on Tuesday."I expect that in 2008 conditions will be fulfilled and thus we will be able to complete Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with all countries in the region," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels on Tuesday.
Pressure on TurkeyPressure on Turkey
He praised Serbia in particular for turning its back on its nationalist past by supporting the work of the UN's war crimes tribunal in The Hague.He praised Serbia in particular for turning its back on its nationalist past by supporting the work of the UN's war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
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Mr Rehn said he planned to sign a draft version of the SAA with Serbia on Wednesday. The deal would then have to be ratified by the EU's other members.Mr Rehn said he planned to sign a draft version of the SAA with Serbia on Wednesday. The deal would then have to be ratified by the EU's other members.
Mr Rehn said he had made the decision after discussions with the UN war crimes prosecutor, Carla del Ponte.Mr Rehn said he had made the decision after discussions with the UN war crimes prosecutor, Carla del Ponte.
Ms del Ponte "considers there is now the political will and intensified action by the Serbian government to arrest and transfer the remaining fugitives to The Hague tribunal", he said.Ms del Ponte "considers there is now the political will and intensified action by the Serbian government to arrest and transfer the remaining fugitives to The Hague tribunal", he said.
The Hague is spearheading a manhunt for former Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, both wanted for atrocities committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.The Hague is spearheading a manhunt for former Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, both wanted for atrocities committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
The European Commission said another membership candidate, Turkey, must make "significant further efforts" to strengthen freedom of expression and improve the rights of its Kurdish minority.The European Commission said another membership candidate, Turkey, must make "significant further efforts" to strengthen freedom of expression and improve the rights of its Kurdish minority.
Mr Rehn said the EU and Turkey should not begin critical accession talks on justice and human rights until Ankara had amended Article 301, a law used to prosecute journalists and intellectuals for "insulting Turkish-ness".Mr Rehn said the EU and Turkey should not begin critical accession talks on justice and human rights until Ankara had amended Article 301, a law used to prosecute journalists and intellectuals for "insulting Turkish-ness".
Tensions have soared between Turkey and the Kurds after a series of attacks on Turkish troops by Kurdish rebels operating out of Iraq.Tensions have soared between Turkey and the Kurds after a series of attacks on Turkish troops by Kurdish rebels operating out of Iraq.