EU besluit in november 2005 over mogelijk lidmaatschap Macedonië (en)

The European Commission is to decide in November whether to recommend that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia be taken on as a candidate for EU membership.

According to Austrian news agency APA, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Finland on Friday (8 April) at a conference on enlargement that the Commission would publish its opinion on the matter in November.

He added that a formal endorsement of the Commission's decision may then be taken by EU leaders at a summit in December.

Once a country becomes an EU candidate, it starts negotiations on all aspects of EU membership - covering 32 chapters of EU legislation including trade, environment, competition and health.

The candidate country has to bring its laws into line with those of the EU. The process to eventual membership can last for several years.

At the conference, Mr Rehn also pointed out that multi-lateral discussion on the final status of Kosovo will begin in September while, in the coming weeks, the Commission is to decide whether to start stabilisation and association agreements with Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This agreement is the first step on the road to EU accession.