MEPs have backed proposals to exempt nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania from visas by the end of 2010, agreeing with the European Commission that these two countries meet the required conditions on document security and combating illegal immigration and crime.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele told the Dutch parliament that Serbian application for EU candidate status should be sent to the European Commission. He pointed out that Serbia’s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) can still remain a precondition of EU integration.

US Ambassador to Macedonia Philip Reeker said that NATO message from Bucharest is clear- Macedonia to be admitted into NATO only after name issue is resolved. He also expressed hope that Macedonian-Greek dispute will be resolved soon.