THE European Union's executive arm has said Croatia could wrap up EU entry talks next year and recommended that the bloc start membership negotiations with Macedonia.
However, the European Commission yesterday said other EU hopefuls, including Turkey, had a lot more to do, criticising corruption, weak administrations and making clear it would take many years before the bulk of them could join the EU, which current
ly has 27 members.
"If Croatia meets all outstanding benchmarks in time, the accession negotiations could be concluded next year," the commission said in an annual report on enlargement.
EU governments should open membership talks with Macedonia, another former Yugoslav country, it said.
"The country has made convincing progress and substantially addressed reform priorities," said Olli Rehn, the EU enlargement commissioner.
Diplomats say a dispute with EU member Greece over Macedonia's name could jeopardise the plan. Greece has vetoed Macedonia's accession to Nato, saying that the country's name implied territorial claims to Greece's own province of Macedonia.
Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski welcomed the Commission's announcement, saying: "It's a historic day for Macedonia and its citizens. This report will serve as a signpost for our future steps."
The report gave no entry date for Croatia.
Diplomats say that the former Yugoslav state of 4.4 million could become the EU's 28th member in 2012 after ratification of its accession treaty.
