ENLARGEMENT : MADRID INTENDS TO OPEN EU'S DOORS.

Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos believes it is "essential" for the EU to open up to the accession of other countries, once it has resolved its institutional problems with the Lisbon Treaty. Spain, which took over the rotating Presidency of the EU on 1 January, "considers that there is no reason to stand in the way of an open doors policy," Moratinos declared, on 5 January, to journalists in Madrid.

In particular, he referred to the former Yugoslav countries, considering that, among them, Bosnia was "the most fragile" and that "Spain will pay the greatest attention" to it during its Presidency.

He also mentioned Iceland, which submitted its candidacy in July 2009 and could become a member as of 2012, and Turkey, hoping that it would continue to open accession chapters, while acknowledging that, for this country, the process would be "long". Spain strongly supports Turkey's candidacy, whereas several member states are opposed to its entry, such as France, Austria and Germany, and are instead proposing a 'privileged partnership' with the EU, which Ankara refuses to accept.

On the other hand, Moratinos stressed that Spain would not recognise the independence of Kosovo during its Presidency, but would show a constructive attitude with regard to its authorities.

Problem in Iceland

Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson decided, on 5 January, under popular pressure, to subject to referendum the 'Icesave law' on the reimbursement of foreign customers of the collapsed eponymous bank, a decision which is likely to generate a political crisis in the island but which could also affect the country's EU accession process.

The Icesave law, put to the vote by Parliament...

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