The European Parliament (EP) adopted on Thursday resolutions on the progress five Western Balkan states made in their effort to join the European Union, saying each country should improve on its judiciary and media freedom, the Beta news agency reported.

The EP said Montenegro had advanced the most and was the closest to join the bloc, while Macedonia – Greece deal was described as the best event in the Balkans in 2018.

Before discussing the resolutions on Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, the EP deputies (MEP) adopted the resolution on Serbia.

A report on Bosnia and Herzegovina was not on agenda since the governments in the country have still not be formed following the October elections.

Macedonia has been an EU candidate country since 2005 but is expected to start negotiations after Skopje and Athens agreed on Macedonia's new name; Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are recognised as potential candidate countries; Serbia, Montenegro and Albania have the status of candidate countries.

In his report on Kosovo, Igor Soltes, the EU Rapporteur, called on Pristina’s government and opposition to work together in carrying out reforms EU expected since so far only limited progress was made.

The MEPs pointed out the importance of granting Pristina visa-free regime and called on five EU member states that had not recognised Kosovo’s independence to do so to make its relations with Serbia easier.

The idea on territory swap between Belgrade and Pristina could be an acceptable solution, the report said, if it was mutually agreed and in line with international law.

Ivo Vajgl, the Rapporteur for Macedonia, said Skopje was committed to reforms, but there were concerns over organised crime and division of power.

On the other hand, Macedonia was highly praised for the agreement with Greece on a new name, described as the best event in the Balkans in 2018.

Knut Fleckenstein’s report on Albania noted the country made progress in five key priorities but warned about corruption and political instability as the reason for which Tirana could not move further from an early phase of the accession negotiations.

Charles Tannock briefed the MEPs on Montenegro saying Podgorica advanced the most among the Balkan countries in the negotiations with the EU.

The state was praised for its progress in fighting corruption, the introduction of the e-government and transparency.

However, the report warned about poor results in fighting human trafficking and media freedoms in Montenegro.