European Commission: Strategy Paper and Report 2003

Conclusions

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia have reached a high level of alignment with the acquis and have made considerable advances towards ensuring adequate administrative and judicial capacity. Bearing in mind the progress achieved by these countries, their track record in implementing the commitments they have made in the negotiations, and taking into account their preparatory work in progress and foreseen, the Commission considers that these countries will be able to assume the obligations of membership in accordance with the envisaged timeframe.

These countries should continue their efforts in legislative alignment and administrative capacity building as foreseen. The Regular Reports show that they need to undertake urgent action in a limited number of specific areas within certain chapters. The candidate countries have been informed. The Commission expects them to initiate the necessary measures in order to overcome the problems identified. This will be closely monitored.

Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey do not fully meet the acquis criteria. These countries should focus further efforts on the areas identified in the Regular Reports.

The conclusions of each Regular Report are contained in Annex 1.