Experts react: EU progress reports 2014

On 8 October, the European Commission released its annual reports on the progress achieved by EU candidate and potential candidate countries. Experts on the seven countries for which reports were issued give their responses below to the key points raised for each state. James Ker-Lindsay on Serbia: “It’s time to start building a new state” Krenar Gashi on Kosovo: “Same alarms, no surprises” Will Bartlett on Bosnia and Herzegovina: “Deep frustration at political stalemate” Kenneth Morrison on Montenegro: “The road to the EU may take longer than expected” Cvete Koneska on Macedonia: “The report’s criticism is unlikely to be taken seriously by the government” Joanna Hanson on Albania: “Moderate progress, but strong criticism of the parliament persists” Didem Buhari-Gulmez on Turkey: “Substantial problems with human rights, rule of law, corruption and governance” Can Karahasan on Turkey: “Economic development is hampered by political tensions”