MEPs debate progress made towards EU membership by Serbia, Kosovo, Turkey and Montenegro.

Spotlight on four in EU enlargement queue

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15932863/n001-120329-001-en_mf.srt

A debate on the progress of four countries  waiting to join the EU highlighted problems.

Serbia doesn't recognise Kosovo's  independence and tensions remain,

despite the presence  of EU police and justice officials.

Still, some see it  as a likely future member.

It is not worse than Bulgaria or Romania  which have already been accepted,

so I think that we can work  with Serbia very seriously

and, speaking frankly, I have  some doubts about Kosovo itself.

MEPs heard that Serbia  needs to make a lot of reforms

and their implementation may depend on  the outcome of its May elections.

Five EU Member States don't even  recognise Kosovo's independence.

There are also concerns over  Turkey's growing authoritarianism.

that it is possible... probable... I believe  certain that Turkey at some point will join

It's up to us to deal  with the problems there are

and it's up to Turkey to maintain  its promises and commitments.

Even MEPs opposed to Turkey joining  agree some kind of partnership is essential.

There'll be no progress  in the second half of 2012

while Cyprus holds  the EU Council Presidency.

There's also Montenegro,  locked in a wave of strikes and protests

But the EU can absorb new members  if it makes the most of itself.

I think we have major assets  for the world and for ourselves

on condition that we fully use  their potential.

And, look now, the single  market is still not complete.

MEPs know that even Croatia  has its work cut out before it joins in 2013.

Further enlargement after that may depend  on a variety of factors, but it won't be soon.