Turkey's pre­accession strategy - towards a new phase

The implementation of the pre­accession strategy, defined by the Helsinki European Council, is now well underway. By the end of this year, all elements of this strategy will be in place. In the next phase, attention will turn to a more detailed preparation for EU membership requirements.

In this new phase, Turkey is encouraged to intensify and accelerate the process of political and economic reforms in line with the Accession Partnership priorities. This entails further constitutional, legislative, administrative and judicial reforms aimed at bringing Turkey closer to EU standards. The recent constitutional reform and the implementation of the new economic plan are a promising start of this process.

Fuller use should be made of the enhanced political dialogue to further stimulate progress on key issues which are priorities of the Accession Partnership, such as human rights, Cyprus and the peaceful settlement of border disputes.

The support Turkey has expressed in the political dialogue for the UN Secretary General's efforts to find a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem should now be followed by concrete steps by Turkey to facilitate a solution.

On European Security and Defence policy (ESDP), Turkey should be forthcoming in solving the issue of the modalities for participation in decisions on EU­led operations in view of the decision to be taken by the Laeken European Council, in accordance with the Nice European Council conclusions.

A number of confidence building measures in the context of Greek­Turkish relations are being further developed and implemented. This should create a climate conducive to the peaceful settlement of border disputes in line with the Helsinki European Council conclusions.

Financial assistance will be used to help Turkey meet Accession Partnership priorities. Turkey is invited to strengthen its administrative capacity for project design and management in keeping with the de­centralised approach followed with all candidate countries. The Commission will mobilise advice and assistance from Member State experts to support Turkey's efforts. On the basis of the framework agreement to be signed between the EU and Turkey on Turkey's participation in Community programmes, Turkey is invited to put into place effective structures for the management of these programmes, in particular in the field of education.

The negotiations on the extension of the Customs Union in the area of public procurement and public services are to be finalised as a matter of priority.

The Feira European Council asked the Commission to report on progress in preparing the processe of the analytical examination of the acquis. This report is annexed to the Regular Report 2001.

On the basis of experience to date and of the gaps that have been identified in Turkish legislation and administrative preparations for membership, it is now recommended that a new phase starts in the pre­accession strategy. This will involve detailed scrutiny of Turkey's legislation and its timetable for alignment with the acquis. In this phase, particular attention will also be given to the capacity of the Turkish administration and judiciary to implement and enforce the acquis effectively.

Henceforth, the EU and Turkey will engage in a more detailed dialogue on the requirements for the transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis, focussing on precise sectoral issues to be examined by the relevant experts in the existing fora. Sub-committee agendas will therefore focus on detailed priorities for action. Turkish officials will receive additional and more detailed information on specific parts of the acquis. EU experts will review draft legislation under preparation in Turkey. Workshops on selected issues will be organised by TAIEX.

Turkey will be invited to contribute actively to the Commission's database on the approximation of legislation to permit detailed and continuos monitoring of progress. It is recommended that the EC­Turkey Association Committee at its next meeting should establish the subjects on which this process will focus and the schedule of meetings.

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