Published on 9th November, the 2016 EC Progress Report brought the reassurance of the importance of EU Enlargement process to Western Balkan countries in Turkey, but has made it clear that more vigorous (new methodology introduced in several new areas) and long-term approach (changing of the cycle from autumn to spring with next Report being published in spring 2018) will be the key element of the EU Enlargement policy at least till 2020. Assessing the conditions of civil society sector and cooperation with public institutions have become structural and in-depth since 2014 when the Civil Society section was introduced as part of the Political Criteria. This year, the breath of challenges both structural (setting up cooperation mechanisms, strategies, legislation changes) and in value (increased attacks on civic activists and organization against their comments or protests) are being reflected in the Reports. To read the full Progress Report see here. To read BCSDN in-depth analysis of civil society assessments from 2015 see here and stay tuned for our new analysis coming out in the coming days.
Source: BCSDN