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Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia were in the position to actively shape EU-decisions after 2004 (Bulgaria and Romania from 2007 onwards). Decisions on the start of negotiations with Turkey and Croatia and to give Macedonia candidate status were adopted in 2005 by the enlarged EU25. Regardless of the general supportive attitude, the presidencies of two newer members (Slovenia in 2008 and the Czech Republic in 2009) have not been able to promote substantial progress on the enlargement dossiers because of the lack of enthusiasm for enlargement of EU27 and EU’s problems with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. Furthermore, both Cyprus and Slovenia have used bilateral issues to block the progress of negotiations with Turkey, respectively with Croatia. It cannot be excluded that bilateral issues will be used to block progress on enlargement even in the future.
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