EC: Bilateral issues should not obstruct EU accession

Brussels, October 8 (MIA) - Bilateral issues should not obstruct the accession of new EU member-states, they should be settled by the parties concerned and, if necessary, by the Hague-based International Court of Justice.

This conclusion is part of the EU Draft-Enlargement Strategy, which the European Commission should adopt and publish in the course of next week, along with the progress reports for Western Balkan countries in the Euro-integration process.

"Bilateral questions, including border issues, are increasingly affecting the enlargement process. Such issues should be resolved by the parties concerned and should not block the accession process", says the draft document, which may be modified before its adoption on October 14.

According to the EC draft-declaration, the European Union expects candidate-states to overcome bilateral issues in conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter, but if necessary to seek assistance from the ICJ.

Three EU candidate-states - Macedonia, Croatia and Turkey - are currently engaged in bilateral rows with their neighbors, which has an effect on their Euro-integration. Macedonia's constitutional name is disputed by Greece, which is also involved in a row with Turkey regarding Cyprus and the sovereignty of several islands in the Aegean Sea, whereas Croatia was blocked until recently by Slovenia due to border misunderstandings.