Libor Rouček, S&D vice-president for enlargement and neighbourhood policies, said:

"Our Group welcomes the Council's decision to start accession negotiations with Serbia in January. There can be no question that, given the historic steps toward normalisation of relations with Kosovo and the implementation of domestic reforms, Serbia fully deserves to move onto the next stage in the accession process."

"We are disappointed, however, by the Council's failure to send a clearer and more positive message to other Western Balkan countries."

"Albania, in particular, made significant progress in 2013, having adopted critical pieces of EU-related legislation and conducted smooth and transparent parliamentary elections. The Council's postponement of a decision on candidate status is a missed opportunity to help consolidate these gains. We encourage the Albanian government to maintain the current reform momentum, in particular in the fight against corruption and organised crime, to secure a positive decision on candidate status as soon as possible, paving the way for the opening of accession negotiations.

"Likewise, the S&D Group wishes to see the Council take a more forward-looking and constructive position on the opening of accession negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We therefore repeat our call fora swift and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue to unblock the country's accession process, while urging the government in Skopje not to use the issue as an excuse for backsliding on democratic reforms, notably media freedoms.

"To remain credible and truly transformative, enlargement policy requires sustained and unequivocal support by EU member states: the EU must be ready to honour its commitments as soon as the candidate and future candidate countries deliver. In 2014, it will be important that member states exercise strategic foresight and political courage to move the enlargement agenda forward in all Western Balkan countries".

Zdroj: www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu, 20.12.2013