The European Parliament adopted by 305 votes to 35 with 8 abstentions a resolution on consolidating stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans in response to the Commission Communication on the subject. It points out that the leverage of the EU and its ability to function as an agent of stability and a driver of reform in the Western Balkans depends on the credibility of its commitment to allowing those States in the region that fully satisfy the Copenhagen criteria to become full members of the EU. It stresses therefore that the Commission and the Member States must maintain a firm commitment to future enlargement encompassing the Western Balkans. Members also point out the need for the Western Balkan countries to assume ownership of their rapprochement to the EU. They stress that the integration process must be driven from within and that successful accession depends on the existence of a strong civil society, a low degree of corruption and an overall change-over to knowledge-based economies and societies.

The resolution emphasises that the accession process must be based on a fair and rigorous application of the principle of conditionality whereby each country will be judged solely in the light of its capacity to meet the Copenhagen criteria, the conditions of the Stabilisation and Association process and all the benchmarks laid down in relation to a specific stage of the negotiations. The accession process must not be slowed down or blocked for countries that have satisfied the requirements previously set. However, the accession process must maintain a clear regional perspective . Efforts must be made to avoid a situation whereby differences in the pace of integration result in the erection of new barriers in the region, in particular with regard to the process of visa liberalisation.

All parties concerned must make serious efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding bilateral disputes between EU Member States and countries of the Western Balkans and among countries of the Western Balkans themselves. In this context, good-neighbourly relations and acceptance of the respective cultural and historic heritage are extremely important. The opening of accession negotiations with the countries of the Western Balkans and the opening and closing of individual negotiation chapters should not be obstructed over questions relating to bilateral disputes and countries should agree on procedures for solving bilateral issues before the start of accession negotiations. Parliament notes the decision by certain Western Balkan countries to lodge complaints or seek advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice on bilateral disputes, and considers that the EU should make every effort to assist a comprehensive settlement of the pending issues.

The resolution states that it is necessary to continue to promote inter-ethnic and intercultural dialogue in order to overcome both the burden of the past and tensions in relations between the countries of the Balkan region. The Commission is asked to provide increased funding for initiatives promoting reconciliation between different ethnic groups.

Members support the efforts aimed at establishing by 2010 a comprehensive Western Balkans Investment Framework for the coordination of grants and loans offered by the Commission, by international financial institutions and by individual country donors.

Parliament goes on to stress the importance of a liberalisation of the Schengen visa regime for the citizens of the countries of the Western Balkans. It urges the Council and the Commission to conduct the process in as transparent a manner as possible and with clearly defined benchmarks, in order to facilitate external monitoring and increase public accountability of the process. A cumbersome visa procedure, compounded by the understaffing of consulates and embassies in the region, is liable to generate hostility towards the EU among the people of the region.

The resolution discusses the importance of transport infrastructure, energy policy, full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, improvement in education and an end to segregation in schools, the sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the rights of journalists and independent media.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Anna IBRISAGIC (EPP-ED, SE) on consolidating stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans in response to the Commission Communication on the subject. It points out that the leverage of the EU and its ability to function as an agent of stability and a driver of reform in the Western Balkans depends on the credibility of its commitment to allowing those States in the region that fully satisfy the Copenhagen criteria to become full members of the EU. It stresses therefore that the Commission and the Member States must maintain a firm commitment to future enlargement encompassing the Western Balkans. The Council and Commission are urged to deal with recent and forthcoming applications for membership with all due speed.

The report stresses that the accession process must be based on a fair and rigorous application of the principle of conditionality whereby each country will be judged solely in the light of its capacity to meet the Copenhagen criteria, the conditions of the Stabilisation and Association process and all the benchmarks laid down in relation to a specific stage of the negotiations. The accession process must not be slowed down or blocked for countries that have satisfied the requirements previously set. However, the accession process must maintain a clear regional perspective . Efforts must be made to avoid a situation whereby differences in the pace of integration result in the erection of new barriers in the region, in particular with regard to the process of visa liberalisation.

All parties concerned must make serious efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding bilateral disputes between EU Member States and countries of the Western Balkans and among countries of the Western Balkans themselves. In this context, good-neighbourly relations and acceptance of the respective cultural and historic heritage are extremely important for enhancing stability and security. The opening of accession negotiations with the countries of the Western Balkans and the opening and closing of individual negotiation chapters should not be obstructed over questions relating to bilateral disputes and countries should agree on procedures for solving bilateral issues before the start of accession negotiations, including recourse to the International Court of Justice.

The report states that it is necessary to continue to promote inter-ethnic and intercultural dialogue in order to overcome both the burden of the past and tensions in relations between the countries of the Balkan region. Civil society organisations and people-to-people contacts are instrumental in advancing reconciliation, facilitating mutual understanding and promoting peaceful inter-ethnic cohabitation. The Commission is asked to provide increased funding for initiatives promoting reconciliation between different ethnic groups.

Members support the efforts aimed at establishing by 2010 a comprehensive Western Balkans Investment Framework for the coordination of grants and loans offered by the Commission, by international financial institutions and by individual country donors. They welcome the Infrastructure Project Facility (IPF) and point out that IPF projects in the fields of transport, the environment, energy and the social sector should be carried out with a clear regional perspective. These coordinated loan/grant facilities should be directed in particular towards those potential candidate countries which do not have access to funds from all five components of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

The report discusses the importance of transport infrastructure, energy policy, full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, improvement in education and an end to segregation in schools, the sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the rights of journalists and independent media.

The Council had an exchange of views on the recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Firstly, it welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Valentin Inzko as EU Special Representative/High Representative and discussed the continued planning for a reinforced EU presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After the discussion, the Council adopted the following conclusions. In particular, it:

reiterated its full support to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina and called upon the local political leaders to engage thoroughly and with stronger determination on the necessary reform agenda in order for the country to make substantial progress on its way towards the European Union; encouraged Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue fully implementing the Interim Agreement; reconfirmed its readiness for a transition from the Office of High Representative to increased local ownership, supported by a reinforced European Union presence, as soon as the conditions are met. The Council acknowledged the progress of the EU preparations, presented by the SG/HR and the Enlargement Commissioner, for its strengthened engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a reinforced, double-hatted EUSR/Head of the Commission Delegation; urged Bosnia and Herzegovina to maximise its efforts to complete fulfilment of the five objectives and two conditions set by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board. To this aim, the Council strongly encouraged continuation of the Prud/Odzak process, urging that the widest possible consensus be found and called for the commitments undertaken in this context to be rapidly translated into further progress and concrete legislative results.

Moreover, the Council appointed Ambassador Valentin Inzko as EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and welcomed his appointment as High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Council commended the former EU Special Representative and High Representative Miroslav Lajčák for his outstanding efforts and commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and its European future.

Lastly, the Council noted that, despite the challenging political environment, the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained stable. It welcomed the progress on the preparatory work for a possible evolution of Operation ALTHEA and agreed to keep this work under regular review so that a decision on the future of the operation could be taken once the necessary conditions had been met. In this context, the Council reiterated that the possible evolution of operation ALTHEA would need to take political developments into account. The Council noted that cooperation with NATO on operation ALTHEA was continuing to work smoothly.

Ministers discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, focusing on:

Bosnia and Herzegovina : the situation in general and in particular the role of the EU's special representative; Serbia : including its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the developments on the political stage in the country; Montenegro : the current situation in the context of the elections of 29 March, and how to proceed further with its application for EU membership; Kosovo : recent events.