Reuters ahead on EU progress reports on membership bids

Brussels reporters were first to report the closely-watched European Commission judgments on the progress candidate countries are making towards entry. The yearly reviews determine how quickly a state might join the EU, gaining access to economy-boosting funding and bringing their financial markets closer into line with European norms. On October 30 Reuters reported the Commission would say Croatia was well on its way to joining the bloc and could conclude negotiations at the end of 2009, giving a boost to Zagreb’s markets. Macedonia was told it was not meeting political criteria and Turkey was told to step up reforms. Other news organisations only got hold of the Commission views when they were officially released six days later.