TAIEX [Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument] Activity Report 2004

Abstract

2004 was a momentous year for the history of the European Union and in particular in the fi eld of enlargement. The biggest enlargement since its creation took place on 1st May with 10 new countries – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Malta, Slovak Republic and Slovenia – joining the European Union. Romania and Bulgaria continued along the road to membership with agreement in the European Council that they would enter the Union on target in 2007, if they are ready.The conclusions of the Council of 17th December 2004 confi rmed a future in Europe for both Croatia and Turkey and agreed to open negotiations, under certain conditions, with these countries on 17th March and 3rd October 2005 respectively. The Stabilisation and Association processes moved forward, with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia applying for membership of the European Union. Additionally, relations with the other countries of the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo1 – have improved as the Union started to shift its focus.