ALDE Members are encouraged by Enlargement Reports

5.54.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Nov 2005

Graham WATSON, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, commented on the European Commission's enlargement reports released today: "EU enlargement should serve as an inspiration to all of us. Countries still strive to join the European Union, to share our values and to secure a common future. Although the EU needs to face up to it's institutional problems, it's high time we also start to acknowledge what European co-operation has politically achieved. I fully support the approach by the Commission to now consolidate the enlargement policy, to live up to our own commitments while avoiding overstretching. The benefits of enlargement will have to be spelled out, as this continues to be a win-win game for old and new members alike" he said.

On the 2005 Progress Report on Turkey, Andrew DUFF (LibDem, UK) said: "The decision to open accession negotiations has changed the context in which EU-Turkey relations will now develop. I hope that the necessary preoccupation with the minutiae of assimilating the acquis will not prevent a large strategic debate about what Turkish membership can bring the European Union".

ALDE spokesman on Western Balkans, Jelko KACIN (LDS, Slovenia) said: "I welcome that we now have a true EU regatta approach on the Balkans. Croatia is negotiating for membership and Macedonia has now been given the green light for candidate status- although further efforts are still needed before negotiations can start. Turkey, as an Eastern Balkan country, also contributes to the full success of the EU regatta approach. These policies, together with the progress made on the Stabilization and Association Process with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and with Serbia-Montenegro, proves the level of EU commitment to the countries in the Balkans. The European model as a 'soft power' is strengthened and today's engagement will also play a role when the future status of Kosovo is hammered out".