Page 61 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine December 2023

bne December 2023 Eastern Europe I 61
Ukraine and Moldova have adopted key measures.
It commented on the determination
of the Ukrainian government and parliament in advancing on the
seven steps outlined by the European Commission Opinion on Ukraine's EU membership bid. Ukraine implemented a transparent pre-selection process for Constitutional Court judges, reformed judicial governance bodies, and bolstered its anti-corruption initiatives. Additionally, the nation made significant strides in curbing oligarch influence and aligning with EU standards, even amidst wartime challenges, demonstrating
its commitment to EU integration, according to the statement.
Commenting before the release of the reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Kyiv expected a positive verdict and is already planning its next steps.
“Ukraine will join the EU. And we will achieve this, in particular, as a result
of our state's internal transformation that is completely consistent with the interests of our people,” Zelenskiy wrote on social network X (formerly Twitter).
The report on Moldova also detailed progress on meeting the nine steps required by the Commission. It pointed to the justice reforms launched by Chisinau as well as the restructuring of anti-corruption bodies, and
the deoligarchisation plan drawn
up by the Moldovan authorities.
Public administration and finance management reforms were pursued, alongside legislation for public procurement, while civil society involvement in decision-making and human rights protection were bolstered.
“An important milestone for Moldova. @EU_Commission recommends the initiation of Moldova's EU accession talks, recognising our commitment
to democracy and development,” President Maia Sandu wrote on X.
“Moldova is firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal.”
Candidate status recommended
for Georgia
Georgia did not secure candidate status at the same time as Ukraine and Moldova in 2022 amid concerns about the state of democracy. However, in November 2023, the country has been recommended for candidate status on the "understanding that a number of steps are taken”.
“Georgia has taken steps to strengthen engagement with the EU and increased pace of reforms in the recent months,” the statement said.
It pointed to efforts to address the 12 priorities identified by the Commission including on gender equality, fighting violence against women and organised crime. Steps have also been taken
Commenting on the difficult
political situation within Bosnia,
the Commission warned: “It is also important to preserve the constitutional order of the country. The secessionist and authoritarian measures introduced in the Republika Srpska entity are not in line with the EU path.”
Montenegro’s progress stalls
Montenegro is the most advanced of the candidate countries towards EU accession, however, as pointed out by the Commission, progress toward EU accession reforms came to a standstill due to polarisation and political instability during the reporting period.
After months of negotiations, a new government was appointed in October,
“Ukraine will join the EU. And we will achieve this, in particular, as a result of our state's internal transformation that is completely consistent with the interests of our people”
towards judicial reforms and the protection of human rights.
“Building a strong cross-party political consensus would contribute to addressing polarisation and accelerate its European path,” the report added.
More effort needed from Bosnia
Bosnia was also granted accession candidate status in 2022, becoming the fifth of the Western Balkans countries to become a candidate.
On November 8, the Commission recommended the opening of accession negotiations once Bosnia has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria.
As for Ukraine, the Commission said
the decision to award candidate status “brought a much-needed positive dynamic”, with the new government starting to deliver on reforms. However, it warned that further efforts are needed, including on the rule of law and judicial, constitutional and electoral reforms.
and the Commission said it now expects Podgorica “to swiftly demonstrate
its capacity and commitment to Montenegro's EU path and deliver on EU accession related reforms”.
North Macedonia is the longest-standing EU accession candidate, having been granted candidate status back in 2005. Its progress has been repeatedly blocked by bilateral disputes with its EU-member neighbours, first Greece and later Bulgaria. The government is now struggling to get constitutional changes required for it to start accession negotiations through the parliament, which the Commission said should be made a priority.
On a more positive note, the Commission said that it presented to EU Council the screening reports on the “fundamentals cluster” for North Macedonia in July and looks forward to a swift follow-up, with a view to opening negotiations on the cluster by the end of the year.
“The political polarisation and the blockade of the parliament where
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