Hungary welcomes that the Commission reported about the progress of nearly all the countries that are committed to joining the European Union. We also welcome the progress made by Serbia. However, the law on property restitution and compensation passed by the Serbian Parliament on September 26 is of grave concern to us.

The European Commission presented its annual enlargement package on 12 October, 2011. The Commission put forward two avis: one about granting the status of candidate country to Serbia and another about closing the accession talks with Croatia. The latter is required for signing the Treaty of Accession with Croatia.

It is an important achievement for the enlargement process that the Commission reported about the progress of nearly all the countries that are committed to joining the European Union.

We agree with the statement of the Commission that a new chapter was opened in the enlargement process with the closing of the accession talks with Croatia. We support that the Commission’s package urges the advancement of the enlargement process. Completing the accession talks on June 30 was a joint success of Croatia and the Hungarian EU Presidency. Signing the Treaty of Accession in December will signal to the entire Western Balkans that the doors of the European Union are indeed open to the countries that successfully meet the conditions of accession. It is of great significance for Hungary that we will be able to welcome another neighbouring country in the European Union.  

We welcome that Montenegro has made significant achievements in the fields required for for starting the accession talks. We are committed to providing all support and assistance that Montenegro should need in starting the negotiations and in advancing its integration process. 

We welcome the progress made by Serbia over the past year. The government of Serbia has made several measures that have demonstrated its willingness to accelerate the accession process in order to achieve the status of candidate country.

Hungary, as Serbia’s neighbour and an EU member state committed to the enlargement process, is interested in the advancement of Serbia’s accession process. However, the law on property restitution and compensation passed by the Serbian Parliament on September 26 is of grave concern to us. For the law excludes those from the property compensation process who served in the occupying forces during the Second World War (as well as their successors) even if they did not commit any crime or atrocity. This law is founded on the outmoded principle of collective guilt, and, as such, it imposes serious discrimination. It is in contradiction with universal and EU values and norms, and violates the so-called Copenhagen criteria. This is why our standpoint is solid: we expect Serbia to resolve this problem until the beginning of December the latest. Only if Serbia resolves it, can the December 9 European Council pass an unanimous decision about granting Serbia the status of candidate country. The Commission’s statement, which seeks legal clarity as regards compensation, is a good basis for further consultations. 

We have followed Macedonia’s progress in completing its tasks related to the process of integration. The Macedonian leadership has realized that the advancement of the country requires the further implementation of reforms. We welcome that the European Commission proposed again that accession talks should be started with Macedonia. However, we are disappointed that the obstacle to launching the talks - that is, the dispute with Greece - has not been removed. We encourage both sides to continue seeking for a solution so that Macedonia can begin its EU accession talks at the earliest possible date. 

There has not been significant progress with respect to completing the tasks related to the process of integration in the cases of Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. We encourage the leaders of both countries to take the required steps in continuing the reform process, for it is indispensable for the advancement of their countries.

We are confident that Kosovo’s commitment to European integration will yield further results. As regards preparation for accession, Hungary is ready to provide professional support and assistance to Kosovo just like to any other candidate country or potential candidate in the Western Balkans.

It is our definite interest to support Turkey’s commitment to European integration and we welcome that the Commission made statements to the same effect. While the Commission’s proposal points out the particular details of the tasks lying ahead of Turkey, it recognizes the strategic significance of Turkey and its vital role in the external relations of the European Union.

We welcome the  achievements made by Iceland in its accession process. The Hungarian EU Presidency gave an impetus to the accession talks, and the Polish Presidency is preparing the way for making further progress. Iceland - as a country with long established democracy and strong ties to the EU - can provide an example for future candiadte countries.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)