The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament noted the publication of the Commission's 2014 Enlargement Package and urged the EU and its member states to honour their political commitments to the candidate countries, giving them real prospects for the future.
Candidate and potential candidate countries must first fulfil all their obligations, respect all commitments, meet the Copenhagen criteria and create the conditions for ensuring the success of future enlargements.
Gianni Pittella, president of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, said:
"Europe has a moral duty to help Serbia and Bosnia and also Albania and Macedonia (Fyrom) to move forward in their integration process, offering them a clear prospect of membership. This process is also vital to promote democracy and improve economic, social and political stability in the region. In some cases, like the Bosnian one, the institutional stability is at risk. The reform process must be supported and encouraged with the involvement of all stakeholders.
"Justice and European integration are the only ways to allow the Western Balkans to finally look ahead from a difficult past.
"We also strongly support the European perspectives for Turkey and call for a renewed EU commitment to the enlargement process. New negotiations with Turkey, in particular chapters 23 and 24 (on fundamental rights and justice and home affairs) would help Ankara to strengthen the rule of law as well as the stability and democracy in the country.
"The European Union has to stick to its commitments concerning the accession process, keeping the door for full membership open.
"All candidate countries for accession have rights and obligations and in the end they must be judged on their own merits."
Richard Howitt MEP, S&D Group's foreign affairs coordinator welcoming the package, told the committee:
"The commissioner has once again done everything possible on opening negotiations and opening chapters and continues to do everything in his power against closed minds.
"Our Group supports enlargement and supports the new approach on administrative reform but shares the deep concerns about parliamentary boycotts and freedom of expression.
"We want an assurance that the introduction of an annual cycle of economic policy review doesn't simply mean a further message of austerity from Brussels.
"At a time of foreign policy crises, it is also right to express our wish that Serbia align itself to EU sanctions in relation to Russia and that Turkey is seen to give sufficient cooperation to European and international efforts over ISIS in Syria."
