The progress reports covered membership candidate countries Croatia, Turkey, Macedonia and Iceland, and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania.

With regard to Montenegro and Albania, the Commission published an opinion on their EU membership applications, recommending that candidate status should be granted only to Montenegro.

In the progress report on Turkey, the Commission said that the country has continued a political reform process, but that it needs to improve its record on fundamental rights, democratic opening and participation of all factors in the reform process. Ankara also needs to ensure freedom of expression.

Turkey's negotiations are proceeding slowly, partly because of the unresolved Cyprus issue, so the Commission urged Ankara to contribute to an overall settlement between the Greek and Turkish communities on the divided island.

Macedonia has continued to meet political criteria and has made progress, albeit uneven, in some areas. The Commission reiterated its recommendation from last year to open accessions negotiation with this country, which was awarded candidate status in December 2005, but there is no consensus among EU member states because of the dispute with Greece over Macedonia's name.

Accession negotiations with Iceland were launched this July and the screening process, an in-depth analysis of the alignment of the country's legislation with the acquis communautaire, is expected to begin soon.

Serbia has continued to implement its reform agenda and has taken important steps towards post-war reconciliation in the Western Balkans. Belgrade is required to make additional effort in reforming the judiciary and public administration, and in combating corruption and organised crime. Serbia's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague remains crucial, and Belgrade is required to take a more constructive approach towards Kosovo's participation in regional trade and cooperation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has made very limited progress in nearly all areas, and was urged to ensure the rule of law.

Kosovo, whose independence has not been recognised by five EU countries, needs to ensure the rule of law, implement judicial and public administration reform, and launch a fight against corruption, organised crime and money laundering.

The Commission concluded by saying that the progress reports show that the EU enlargement process is proceeding at a speed that is largely determined by the ability of the aspirant countries to assume the membership obligations.