European Commission: Strategy Paper and Report 2003

Commitments

The provisional closure of a chapter depends inter alia on the Union accepting the credibility of the commitments made by the candidate countries. Generally, this is based on key parts of the acquis having been already transposed. Candidate countries have to ensure that they meet all their commitments as planned. The Commission closely monitors the implementation of these commitments, in particular through monitoring reports and the Action Plans on administrative and judicial capacity. So far, the implementation of commitments made in the negotiations has been largely on track; in the few cases where problems or delays had arisen, solutions were found and there was no need for the Commission to recommend the reopening of any chapter.

The assessment made in this year's Regular Reports confirms that, in most cases, candidates generally meet the commitments made in the negotiations. Where the commitments refer to measures to be completed by the time of accession, the Commission's assessment is based on the relevant preparatory process. The Reports identify some cases where candidates experience problems in meeting their commitments. This concerns mainly the areas of agriculture, environment and fisheries. In such cases candidates should take all necessary remedial actions in order to ensure that commitments are fully met.