EU ministers agree to begin talks on Serbian accession by end of January

EU ministers yesterday provisionally agreed to begin accession talks with Serbia by the end of January, and to commence a so-called association agreement with Kosovo, the first step in the path to EU membership.

EU ministers, under the chairmanship of the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union, unanimously gave the green light to the proposals, though final agreement must be given by the European Council.

The move follows the signing of a historic accord between the Balkan states in April following months of EU-brokered negotiations.

While Kosovo declared its status as an independent country in 2008, Serbia does not recognise its status as an independent state. Both blocs have committed to “normalising relations” as a condition for the commencement of accession talks. The decision comes a few days before neighbouring Croatia becomes the 28th state to join the EU.

Framework
Announcing the decision following the meeting of the EU's general affairs council in Luxembourg, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he "hoped and expected" the European Council would endorse the recommendations, which would allow the European Commission to come forward quickly with a framework for the negotiations.

Earlier, the Irish presidency postponed by four months a meeting due to take place today with Turkey, diminishing hopes that accession talks might be reignited.

However, member states agreed to open a new chapter in Turkey’s accession talks.

The decision to postpone the meeting comes on the back of resistance by Germany to proceed, amid diplomatic tensions between it and Turkey, after Chancellor Angela Merkel sharply criticised Turkey’s handling of the recent anti-government protests.

Yesterday’s announcement was largely seen as a compromise between member states amid continuing German resistance to the move. The meeting is now likely to take place after German elections in September.

In a statement, Mr Gilmore welcomed the agreement to open a new chapter in accession negotiations with Turkey.

“While we have been disturbed by the reaction to the recent peaceful protests in Turkey, I believe that the EU accession process is the most effective tool we have in influencing the reform agenda in Turkey,” he said, adding that the opening of the new chapter would allow the EU to “continue contributing to shaping the direction of future reform in Turkey”.

Accessions negotiations between Turkey and the EU have been at a virtual standstill for close to three years, but there was hope that an EU-Turkey intergovernmental conference scheduled by the Irish presidency for today could reopen negotiations.