http://www.neurope.eu Enlargement News - New Europe News: The European News Source. en-us Copyright The Media Company S.A. info@neurope.eu (New Europe) kgougakis@neurope.eu (Kostas Gougakis) Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:39:00 +0200 Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:39:00 +0200 New Europe New Europe 5 http://www.neurope.eu/images/logo.jpg http://www.neurope.eu 100 35 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/99166.php Even as Greecersquo;s economic crisis had Italy fretting over how it would affect the Eurozonersquo;s plans to let more countries use the euro as a currency a spurt of support has blossomed for candidates ranging from Croatia to FYROM to Turkey with key backing for the idea coming from Sweden... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/99166.php Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:23:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/97358.php Hoping that the Netherlands - angered that Serbia hasnrsquo;t found accused war criminal Ratko Mladic who has been seen in the county - will step aside and stop blocking its plans to join the European Union the beleaguered Balkan nation said it still plans to file for membership by the... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/97358.php Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:58:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94534.php Top world energy officials meeting in Rome on May 25 pledged to promote global economic recovery through energy investments including boosting development of cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Representatives from the Group of Eight G8 most industrialised nations in a joint statement also urged for... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94534.php Sun, 31 May 2009 22:47:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94202.php The European Union said it has not given up trying to find a compromise solution to the obscure border row between Slovenia and Croatia which has belatedly stymied Croatiarsquo;s bid to join the EU the blocrsquo;s enlargement commissioner said. ldquo;We are so close to an agreement that it makes no... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94202.php Mon, 18 May 2009 14:58:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94204.php Turkeyrsquo;s new foreign minister has ruled out Turkey accepting anything but full membership of the European Union Turkish newspapers reported. ldquo;We will either become a full member of the EU or not become a member at all rdquo; newspapers quoted Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutogluas saying in Stockholm referring to mooted... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94204.php Mon, 18 May 2009 14:58:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94207.php A nearly-ruined economic country Iceland said it hopes to start talks this year to eventually become a member of the European Union although itrsquo;s at the bottom of a waiting list that includes other countries such as Croatia Serbia FYROM Albania and perhaps even Turkey whose talks are expected to... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94207.php Mon, 18 May 2009 13:51:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94103.php European Union officials have urged Slovenia and Croatia to quickly resolve their border dispute warning that the row could also slow down the EU membership bids of other Balkan nations as well but Slovenia isnrsquo;t budging so far. ldquo;A lot of politicians in Europe tend to put the whole of... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/94103.php Sun, 03 May 2009 23:37:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/93746.php Departing from traditional caution and a kid-gloves handling of Turkey European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul that his country must do more to insure freedom of the press. ldquo;Full respect of press freedom is an important value for us. It is important that there... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/93746.php Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:40:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/93186.php The European Unionrsquo;s battle against righting countries crippled by the recession is being undermined by political infighting and insider clubs more concerned about national interests and excluding smaller members a group of diplomats and ministers have said complaining about what they called a ldquo;cliqueyrdquo; atmosphere that led to a failure... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/93186.php Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:08:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92998.php The recent enlargements of the European Union were a milestone in the process of unifying Europe and have brought benefits to citizens throughout the Union. What are the direct consequences? On one side there are economic benefits as increased living standards in the new Member States while creating export and... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92998.php Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:43:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92984.php The European Union expects ldquo;clarityrdquo; on how to solve a border row between Slovenia and Croatia within weeks EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said. The prime ministers of the embattled countries are set to meet on Febuary 24 and ldquo;I expect clarity ... in the first week of March at... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92984.php Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:39:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92989.php The European Unionrsquo;s explosive expansion across Central and Eastern Europe in 2004 was an economic success despite the financial turmoil now sweeping the region the EUrsquo;s executive said in an analysis of how the newcomers performed. ldquo;The enlargement has emerged as a major success for the EU and its citizens... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92989.php Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:39:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92261.php Although its banks went bust and its government was ousted Iceland is still on the dance card to join the European Union even if its finances would otherwise forbid being part of the club. Thatrsquo;s because the beleaguered country already follows most of the blocrsquo;s rules unlike other aspiring countries... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92261.php Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:29:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92193.php The European Commission has asked Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari to try to resolve a long-standing border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia officials in Brussels said. Ahtisaari a diplomat who formally worked as a United Nations special envoy to Kosovo was approached by the EUrsquo;s enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92193.php Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:53:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/91022.php Croatia lies on the map of the European Union like a gap in a puzzle waiting to be filled. Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sa nader spoke to New Eur opersquo;s Editor Alexandros Koronakis on the eve of the EU Summit discussing EU and NATO membership corruption in the region the... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/91022.php Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/91027.php The European Summit last week will be remembered for the fastest agreements on three major issues ever announced on time as the EU leaders called it an ldquo;historic summit.rdquo; There were congratulations galore as the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy representing... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/91027.php Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90481.php Turkey is set to stay in the waiting room for now as the European Union in its annual report reiterated that more reforms were needed while Balkan states will see more opportunities opening in coming months. Releasing progress reports on countries aspiring to EU membership the European Commission said: ldquo;Turkeyrsquo;s... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90481.php Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90546.php Serbia could head toward European Union membership in 2009 if it proves that it is doing its best to catch warcrimes suspects the European Commission said according to a report from Deutsche-Presse- Agentur dpa. ldquo;Under the best possible scenario Serbia may still be able to obtain candidate status in 2009... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90546.php Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90548.php The European Commission on November 5 moved to strengthen ties with Eastern Europe by giving a conditional green light to Croatiarsquo;s membership calling for a re-launch of strategic talks with Russia and offering Serbia a chance of possible candidacy. ldquo;Croatia is expected to reach the final phase of accession negotiations... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/90548.php Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/87085.php The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Turkeys 2007 Progress Report by a vote of 467-62 but said more reforms are still needed. MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten of the Netherlands said This sends a strong signal to Turkey and the Council. The year 2008 must be the year of reforms.... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/87085.php Mon, 26 May 2008 12:00:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/86042.php Reaching out with an offer to draw Serbia closer toward membership only two weeks before a national election the European Union found itself backpedaling after Serb nationalists and its prime minister denounced the deal as a sell-out.Serb nationalist parties called their pro- European politicians led by President Boris Tadic traitors... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/86042.php Mon, 05 May 2008 12:00:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/86006.php Turkey is passing through a more critical phase than at any time since its negotiations to join the European Union began three years ago EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in an interview published last week.Speaking to the German daily Welt Rehn predicted Turkey could emerge with its democratic institutions... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/86006.php Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/83538.php European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn had a lot on his mind and his plate when he met with members of Bosnias tripartite presidency and the Prime Minister in Brussels on February 28 2008.Officially the officials met to discuss issues related to the countrys European integration. But the outcome of... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/83538.php Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/79919.php At a recent meeting in Russia the European Union and Russia agreed to further intensify their cooperation Cordis reported on November 13. From 2008 scientific research will be supported by two large scale programmes. The first will support research and development activities in five priority areas. Around 40 percent of... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/79919.php Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:10:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/79791.php If countries meet conditions stabilisation and association agreement SAA will be agreed with all Balkan countries announced Olli Rehn European Commissioner for enlargement last week adding SAA is the gateway to candidate status. Using his favourite words while presenting the annual EU strategy paper for the EUs enlargement policy Rehn... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/79791.php Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:29:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/74944.php The European Union and Serbia resumed association talks June 13 amid an EU warning that negotiations would only be concluded once Belgrade arrested all war crimes fugitives including former general Ratko Mladic and Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic.Achieving full cooperation with the United Nations war crimes tribunal is an... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/74944.php Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:20:00 +0300 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/71965.php  Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker on March 21 warned against attempts to slim down a planned constitution for the European Union arguing that a mini-treaty would make future enlargement of the 27-member bloc impossible. Without new provisions on EU decision-making the bloc would be unable to take in new members... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/71965.php Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:27:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/71725.php To move ahead Albania have to implement reforms and reach a political consensus EU Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn said in Tirana after meetings with the countrys top officials AENews reported. Rehn said that Albania needs to develop a consensus among the political parties and to improve the democratic culture. Rehn... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/71725.php Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:12:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68882.php The focus of celebrations for the two newcomers to the European Union shifted from Romania to Bulgaria on January 1 2007 as the EU flag was officially raised over Sofia. Today is a historic and great day for Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov said in a speech. It was also a... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68882.php Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:10:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68687.php Bulgaria will celebrate the arrival of 2007 together with its own arrival to European Union membership before it returns to work with an ambition of drawing massive foreign investment to become The Tiger of the European economy. After missing the 2004 expansion wave Bulgaria and Romania former communist states in... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68687.php Sat, 30 Dec 2006 19:59:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68404.php The European Summit held on December 14-15 will be go down as rubber-stamping the decisions of the Council meeting of foreign ministers held on December 11. Learning from the past and gauging the mood of the Vox Populi of the European nations the declaration adopted at the Brussels summit said... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68404.php Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:51:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68401.php Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said on December 12 he doubted that Turkey would join the European Union. We believe that there will be a result different from full membership he said at a press conference in Vienna.Schuessel who may be in line to become a European Commissioner said he supported... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68401.php Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:47:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68392.php Turkish politicians angered by the European Unions unprecedented decision to partially freeze Ankaras membership negotiations should brace themselves for even tougher times ahead. The EU move to suspend eight out of 35 negotiating areas in Turkeys accession talks - triggered by Turkeys refusal to establish transport links with EU member... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68392.php Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:23:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68163.php By failing to take a rigorous line on accession negotiations with Turkey the European Commission has shirked its moral and legal responsibilities. Enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn recently suggested that eight legislative chapters should not be opened while the remaining chapters may be opened but cannot be closed. This is simply... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68163.php Sat, 09 Dec 2006 20:00:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68158.php The Bosphorus separating Europe from Asia aptly defines the chances of Turkey joining the democratic and wealthy European Union in the near future. Not even a decade has passed since the last coup in Turkey while the memories of coups in 1980 1971 and 1960 are fresh in the minds... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68158.php Sat, 09 Dec 2006 19:48:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68155.php European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on December 6 refused to set a firm deadline for Croatias membership of the European Union - but said the country was definitely on course to become the blocs 28th member following Romanian and Bulgarian accession next year. I cannot ... at this stage... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68155.php Sat, 09 Dec 2006 19:42:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68062.php A leading US official on December 4 warned the European Union against closing the door on Turkish membership of the 25-nation bloc saying such a move would be a major strategic miscalculation. US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told reporters in Brussels that Washington firmly backed Ankaras... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/68062.php Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:18:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67686.php Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the European Union on January 1 2007 has gotten the favorable decision of the European Parliament. Even with some critical remarks the achievement made by the two countries were acknowledged by Parliament members.From the beginning of next year the 18 Bulgarian observers and the 36... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67686.php Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:08:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67682.php Bulgaria applied to join the EU 11 in 1995 and negotiations were opened five years later. Since those days there have been remarkable changes. On the economic front GDP has doubled foreign investment has increased from less than USD 100 million to over USD 1.7 billion. Real wages have increased... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67682.php Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:05:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67676.php The process of Romanias - and Bulgarias - accession has reached its final stage in November when the European Parliament adopted by a very large majority its ultimate report on the accession of Romania thereby completing the previous round of enlargement and bringing to a conclusion a historical process initiated... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67676.php Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:02:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67486.php Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on November 23 insisted Turkish membership of the European Union would bring great economic benefit to the union owing to Turkeys dynamic economy. Speaking at the opening session of a two-day World Economic Forum conference in Istanbul Erdogan said Europe would gain thanks to... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67486.php Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:03:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67455.php Germanys upper house of parliament on November 24 ratified the EU entry of Romania and Bulgaria clearing the final hurdle for them becoming the blocs 26th and 27th member states on January 1 2007. The unanimous decision by the Bundesrat came after the lower house approved admission of the two... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67455.php Sat, 25 Nov 2006 20:30:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67416.php The Cypriot government does not have plans to impose a veto on Turkeys EU accession course but said on November 23 that member states were considering the type of sanctions to be imposed if Ankara continues to defy all protocols Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa reported. Turkeys refusal to recognise the Republic... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67416.php Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:52:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67361.php On November 22 according to the speaker of Danish Parliament Bulgaria can offer a lot to the European Union which he said needs fresh air. Christian Mejdahl addressed Bulgarian lawmakers after meeting with the parliamentary commission on European integration. His visit came along with the ratification of Bulgarias EU Accession... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67361.php Sat, 25 Nov 2006 18:32:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67310.php  Progress has been made on the EU-FYROM visa regime facilitation. This was the outcome of a meeting between EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and FYROM Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski in Brussels on November 20 MRTOnline reported. After the meeting Rehn was quoted as saying: We have already achieved a certain... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67310.php Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:08:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67257.php The European Union has issued 1034 certificates for classified information access to physical and juridical persons in Bulgaria Tsveta Markova head of the State Commission on Information Security announced at a conference Sofia news agency reported and 1 833 certificates for access to NATO classified information in 2006. This amounts... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/67257.php Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:50:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66994.php  The European Commission gave a new twist to the enlargement policy last week while presenting the progress report for different countries aspiring to join the European Union. Stressing the three basic principles of consolidation conditionality and communication for enlargement policy Olli Rehn European commissioner responsible for enlargement said The pace... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66994.php Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:41:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66993.php The European Commission on November 8 said FYROM lacked the political will to fight corruption which is hampering the countrys economic development on the road to European Union membership. Corruption remains widespread and is perceived as among the main problems for the country the EU executive said in its first... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66993.php Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:40:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66991.php The European Commission on November 8 called for a politically and legally clear status settlement for Serbias breakaway province of Kosovo saying this was vital for starting negotiations on aspired European Union membership. In a progress report on Kosovo the commission said that the focus on the status issue has... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66991.php Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:39:00 +0200 http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66992.php European Union candidate Croatia must better fight corruption and improve its judicial system to meet EU membership criteria the European Commission warned on November 8. Corruption remains a serious problem the EU executive said in its new progress report on Croatias efforts to meet the blocs entry criteria following the... info@neurope.eu (New Europe) Enlargement http://www.neurope.eu/articles/66992.php Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:39:00 +0200