Text tabled : B7-0187/2012

  Carlos Coelho (PPE), in writing. – (PT) I am not unaware that, despite the problems we have and the crisis we are experiencing, the EU remains a model for stability, economic capacity, respect for fundamental rights, democratic vitality and quality of life. Many countries want to join, and none want to leave. I also acknowledge the role that the expectation of enlargement can have in third countries. Turkey’s long road towards something closer to the democratic rule of law is a clear example of this. However, I believe we have to take into account the times in which we live. While the crisis continues and we have not solved our institutional problems with more streamlined decision making, enhanced economic governance and a true citizens’ Europe, continuing down the path of enlargement does not seem prudent to me. I therefore abstained on 1 December from the decision to approve Croatia’s entry to the European Union. I am abstaining for the same reasons today on the Lunacek report regarding the European integration process of Kosovo.