Enlargement: EU and candidate countries still have much to achieve

2.14.00pm GMT Wed 5th Nov 2008

Commenting on the European Commission's progress report on the EU enlargement strategy, Graham Watson MEP for the West Country and Leader of the Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament, commented: "The European Commission has rightly recognised that we need to improve how we welcome new members into our Union. Countries should not be brought in until they are fully ready. The EU must be fit for purpose too, which means its constitutional arrangements need to be sorted out quickly."

The Commission also published separate reports on individual candidate countries. The situation in the Balkans was of particular focus, notably Croatia who could join in 2009 after the final phase of entry negotiations.