SPECIAL OFFER OF TV INTERVIEWS WITH JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, AND OLLI REHN, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT - AHEAD OF BALKAN TOUR (16-18 feb 06), 2006, www.seetv-exchanges.com

Jose Manuel Barroso

Background: Commission President José Manuel Barroso will make his first official visit to the Western Balkans on 15-18 February 2006, accompanied by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. They will travel to Croatia, Serbiaand Montenegro(including Kosovo), the FYR of Macedonia, Albania, and B&H.

Item 1: Interview with Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission

On his message to the region

I’m leaving this afternoon to the Western Balkans (WB) with a very important message to all the countries in the region : we are here to support you. You have to make an effort but the EU wants to support you and we believe the future of this region is here and so I’m coming to encourage all the steps to make it as close as possible towards the EU. I think it is important also to show the linkage between the political and the economic cooperation and regional integration also. Our aim is to say that the pace of the reforms is the answer for the progress achieved. I’m looking forward to possibilities to discuss these matters with the authorities and parliaments of the countries.

On Serbiaand Montenegrocooperation with ICTY and progress in SAA negotiations

I’m very satisfied with the progress achieved during the negotiations for SAA and the commitment shown by the Serb side and the professionalism shown so far. My message is let’s not admit that the cooperation with ICTY undermines all the progress achieved in the negotiations so I really appeal to the Serb and Montenegrin authorities: this is a crucial test, we need a responsible partner that delivers and takes difficult decisions.

Commissioner Rehn is preparing a report, this visit is a part of the analysis we’re making. Speaking very frankly, the authorities of SM are consulting many of our parties and we’ll come with our assessment to the foreign ministers of the EU maybe before the end of February.

On his message to Bosnia and Herzegovina

We believe there is a future in Europefor Bosnia. My message is to encourage progress. Some very important problems remain. I will speak about these problems frankly with authorities in BiH and precise the fact that we have started the negotiations on an SAA which is a signal of our commitment to encourage further progress. I have to speak with the authorities first because If I knew everything now I couldn’t profit from the visit. Let me tell you on a personal basis that I have been in BiH several times as a foreign minister of my country and also later I was leading an international mission for democracy. I was In Sarajevo and Pale. I wad there several days.

With all the problems that still exist in BiH when you compare it to the situation when I could not cross the street in Sarajevo, it is a great achievement. There was nevertheless a progress. We believe that with the European future for the country and the region such a progress could not have been achieved. The question is how can we stabilize that progress? Good relations between communities, decentralization, respect for minorities, accepting the refugees, tolerance in terms of different civilizations, religions and cultures… This is a huge challenge, and for the politics this is a crucial year. That’s why I’m going to the region asking the leaders to give maximum commitment to this constructive vision.

On his message to Croatia

My message to the Croatian people is that we kept our word and I’m happy that we have started negotiations and it is good. We are working on the negotiations so we cannot anticipate now a date. It is not reasonable to do it from the EU point of view. What we can do is encourage as much progress as possible so I hope that progress will come and EU will deliver and I believe the European position to deliver if Croatiaalso delivers. And it’s a very big piece of work in terms of completing all negotiations in the political and economical reforms.

Cutaways: Exteriors EC Brussels, Berlaymont building

President Barroso at work: in his office, in the Council of Ministers

There is indeed a special moment now for the Western Balkans and its way towards the EU. In the end of last year we took the decision that each and every country has taken a step forward towards EU. And now the purpose of this visit is to prepare the ground for the next steps during the Austrian presidency concerning visa facilitation. Moreover the Kosovo status progress is very important for the whole region and the stability and security of the region. That is a further reason why we want to go to the Western Balkans with President Barroso.

The Western Balkans are all at different stages in the Stabilisation and Association Process. Why such a complicated term, and what does it really mean?

I regret the EU jargon as well. As a matter of fact the substance of the Stabilisation and Association Process or Agreement is clear: it means that it will bring benefits to the countries, investment benefits. It is a combination of advancing free trade market taxes and financial assistance to the countries of the Western Balkans as well as to enhance political dialogue and “people to people” contacts between the EU and the Western Balkans. In other words the Stabilisation and Association Agreement is the stepping stone towards EU.

The Stabilisation and Association Process includes a strong element of regional cooperation among the countries of the Western Balkans – this raises fears about some kind of recreation of the former Yugoslavia…

I’m aware of the sensitivities and I want to say that is sheer nonsense to think that anybody would be recreating the Former Yugoslavia. The purpose of this process is indeed to enhance economic growth and better job opportunities and to enhance contacts with the ordinary citizens to pave the way for the countries of the region towards membership in the EU.

Can you be more specific on how much time it will take the Western Balkans to join the EU?

There is a timeframe but it is not very specific because we prioritize substance over schedule. The timeframe or the pace of the negotiations or the next steps towards candidate status and accession negotiations essentially depends on the ability of the countries to reform the judiciary systems, the public administrations and align the policies with the EU. It is very much in the hands of the countries themselves and we want to help the countries on the way towards the EU.

What message will you bring to Serbiaand Montenegroin particular?

We want to confirm that Serbiaand Montenegrohas a concrete European perspective. It is essential that Serbiaand Montenegrowill tackle the chances of this year 2006 in a constructive approach and it means that the country needs to cooperate with ICTY. There is no shortcut, no excuse, it means that the country will have to adopt a constructive approach towards the negotiations on the future Kosovo status. And it means the country will have to continue the reforms which are intended to benefit the citizens of the country and also pave the way to EU. I want to underline that the European perspective of Serbiais very tangible. It is now up to Serbiato choose between the European future and the nationalist past.

It is very essential that Serbiamoves towards full cooperation with ICTY. I trust that this message has been received and that we have an impact so that we don’t have negative ramifications on the SAA negotiations.

Cutaways

Commissioner Rehn at work, in his office with his assistants