Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2019-20
UPN Alm.del Bilag 118
Offentligt
2168819_0001.png
Council of the
European Union
Brussels, 25 March 2020
(OR. en)
7002/20
ELARG 20
COWEB 35
NOTE
From:
To:
No. prev. doc.:
No. Cion doc.:
Subject:
General Secretariat of the Council
Delegations
6954/20
COM(2020) 57 final, SWD(2020) 46 final and SWD(2020) 47 final
ENLARGEMENT AND STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION PROCESS
�½
the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania
Council conclusions
Delegations will find attached Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and
Association Process as adopted by the Council by written procedure on 25 March 2020.
The accompanying two Council statements as well as the statement by the Commission will be
included in the summary of acts adopted by the written procedure as the statements to be entered in
the Council minutes, in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 12(1) of the Council's
Rules of Procedure, as will the statement by the Bulgarian delegation received in the course of the
written procedure.
7002/20
RELEX.2.A
RR/wd
1
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 118: Rådskonklusioner vedr. udvidelse og associerings- og stabiliseringsprocessen
2168819_0002.png
ANNEX
GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS
ON ENLARGEMENT AND STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION PROCESS
THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
1.
The Council on 18 June 2019 took good note of the Commission's recommendations to open
accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania.
The Council notes that enlargement was further discussed in the European Council on 17-18
October 2019, which decided to revert to this issue before the EU-Western Balkans summit in
Zagreb in May 2020.
2.
Recalling the Thessaloniki Agenda and the Sofia Declaration, the Council reiterates the EU's
unequivocal support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans. In line with
previous Council conclusions, and in the framework of the Copenhagen political criteria and
of the Stabilisation and Association Process, which remains the common framework for
relations with the Western Balkans, the Council reaffirms the need, in accordance with the
2006 renewed consensus on enlargement, for fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle
of own merits. Good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain essential elements
of the enlargement process, as well as of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The
Council recalls the importance of achieving tangible results and implementing in good faith
bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good
Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria as part of the enlargement process. The Council also
notes the importance of human rights and of respecting the rights of persons belonging to
minorities.
7002/20
ANNEX
RR/wd
RELEX.2.A
2
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 118: Rådskonklusioner vedr. udvidelse og associerings- og stabiliseringsprocessen
2168819_0003.png
3.
The Council endorses the Commission Communication on "Enhancing the accession process -
A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans" of 5 February 2020, aiming to
reinvigorate the accession process by making it more predictable, more credible, more
dynamic and subject to stronger political steering, based on objective criteria and rigorous
positive and negative conditionality, and reversibility. The fundamental democratic, rule of
law and economic reforms represent the core objective of the accession process. The Council
looks forward to the Commission's proposals integrating the enhanced approach in future
negotiating frameworks and building on applicable established practice under the renewed
consensus on enlargement. The proposed changes can be accommodated within the existing
negotiating frameworks with Montenegro and Serbia with the agreement of the respective
countries.
4.
Having regard to this, the Council confirms that the enlargement process built on mutual trust,
confidence and clear criteria and commitments will be continued on the basis of the
Commission Communication on "Enhancing the accession process
–
A credible EU
perspective for the Western Balkans" as applicable, while fully respecting the integrity of the
work of the Council and its autonomy as regards the presence of third parties at its meetings.
In this context, the Council stresses the importance of ensuring that the EU can maintain and
deepen its own development, including its capacity to integrate new members.
REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
5.
After having examined the Commission's updated report of 2 March 2020 on the progress
made by the Republic of North Macedonia, the Council welcomes that the country has
demonstrated its determination to advance the EU reform agenda and has delivered tangible
and sustained results, fulfilling the conditions identified by the June 2018 Council for the
opening of the accession negotiations.
6.
In light of the progress achieved on reforms and the fulfilment of the conditions set
unanimously by the Council in June 2018, the Council, subject to endorsement by the
European Council members,
decides to open accession negotiations with the Republic of
North Macedonia.
7002/20
ANNEX
RR/wd
RELEX.2.A
3
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 118: Rådskonklusioner vedr. udvidelse og associerings- og stabiliseringsprocessen
2168819_0004.png
7.
The Council invites the Commission to submit a proposal for a framework for negotiations in
line with the European Council's December 2006 conclusions, integrating the enhanced
approach to the accession process in line with paragraph 3. The Council takes note of the
intention of the Commission to begin the necessary preparatory work immediately.
8.
The first intergovernmental conference should be convened as soon as possible after the
adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council.
The Council further invites the Commission to continue to monitor the progress and continued
compliance in all areas of the conditions identified by the Council in June 2018 related to the
opening of negotiations and to carry out and complete the process of analytical examination
of the EU
acquis
with the country, starting with the fundamentals' cluster.
REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
9.
After having examined the Commission's updated report of 2 March 2020 on the progress
made by the Republic of Albania, the Council welcomes that the country has demonstrated its
determination to advance the EU reform agenda and has delivered tangible and sustained
results, fulfilling the conditions identified by the June 2018 Council for the opening of the
accession negotiations.
10.
In light of the progress achieved on reforms and the fulfilment of the conditions set
unanimously by the Council in June 2018, the Council, subject to endorsement by the
European Council members,
decides to open accession negotiations with the Republic of
Albania.
The Council invites the Commission to submit a proposal for a framework for negotiations in
line with the European Council's December 2006 conclusions, integrating the enhanced
approach to the accession process in line with paragraph 3. The Council takes note of the
intention of the Commission to begin the necessary preparatory work immediately.
The first intergovernmental conference should be convened as soon as possible after the
adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council.
7002/20
ANNEX
RR/wd
RELEX.2.A
4
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 118: Rådskonklusioner vedr. udvidelse og associerings- og stabiliseringsprocessen
2168819_0005.png
Prior to the first intergovernmental conference, Albania should adopt the electoral reform
fully in accordance with OSCE/ODHIR recommendations, ensuring transparent financing of
political parties and electoral campaigns, ensure the continued implementation of the judicial
reform, including ensuring the functioning of the Constitutional Court and the High Court,
taking into account relevant international expertise including applicable opinions of the
Venice Commission, and finalise the establishment of the anti-corruption and organised crime
specialised structures. Albania should also further strengthen the fight against corruption and
organised crime, including through cooperation with EU Member States and through the
action plan to address the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. Tackling
the phenomenon of unfounded asylum applications and ensuring repatriations and amending
the media law in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission remain important
priorities. The Commission will provide a report on these issues, including progress regarding
the track record, when presenting the negotiating framework.
The negotiating framework will be adopted by the Council and has to reflect that Albania has
successfully addressed all five key priorities such as the initiation of criminal procedures
against judges and prosecutors accused of criminal conduct during the vetting process,
initiation of proceedings against those accused of vote buying, a sound track record regarding
fight against corruption and organised crime at all levels, including initiation of proceedings
and completion of first proceedings against high ranking public officials and politicians,
tangible progress regarding reform of public administration, implementation of the reform of
the electoral law as well as a final decision on the lawfulness of the local elections of 30 June
2019, as well as further progress in the adoption of the remaining implementing legislation
related to the 2017 framework law on the protection of national minorities, the adoption of the
law on the population census in accordance with the Council of Europe recommendations,
and the advancement of the process of registration of properties.
The Council further invites the Commission to continue to monitor the progress and
compliance in all areas related to the opening of negotiations and to carry out and complete
the process of analytical examination of the EU
acquis
with the country, starting with the
fundamentals' cluster.
7002/20
ANNEX
RR/wd
RELEX.2.A
5
EN