European Commission: Strategy Paper and Report 2003

Strengthening the Pre-Accession Strategy

The Helsinki European Council set out the pre-accession strategy for Turkey in 1999. The Laeken European Council endorsed a new phase of this strategy last year. Since then, substantial progress has been made in its implementation.

Against this background, the Commission recommends that the European Union should enhance its support for Turkey's pre-accession preparations, in view of the next stage of its candidature. More detailed recommendations are given below as to how this objective can be achieved.

• The Accession Partnership has proved to be a valuable instrument in the pre-accession strategy. It should be updated and revised to focus clearly on areas where priority action is still needed.
• The enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Turkey covers political reforms, human rights, the Cyprus issue and the matter of the peaceful settlement of border disputes, and will be pursued intensively. There is a need for detailed discussions on the various initiatives taken by Turkey to meet the Copenhagen political criteria.

  New ways will be sought to ensure improved understanding of the reforms and other issues requiring attention.

• The enhanced economic dialogue between the EU and Turkey covers issues of macroeconomic performance and stability and economic reforms, and will be pursued intensively. The various measures taken by Turkey to restore economic stability and to meet the Copenhagen economic criteria have to be discussed in detail.
• The process of legislative scrutiny, focusing on precise sector issues, supplemented by TAIEX assistance, is well underway and will be further developed. This process guides Turkey in the requirements for transposition of the acquis, including administrative capacity and enforcement.
• Additional efforts are being made to reinforce and extend the scope of the customs union to cover services and public procurement, as well as removing obstacles to the free circulation of goods. This will have an impact on the wider work to be undertaken by Turkey in accordance with its candidate country status.
• The deepening of trade relations with Turkey, both on a bilateral basis and in relations with third countries, should be pursued. For example, preferential market access for EC-Turkey trade in agricultural products could be extended on a reciprocal basis; this should be accompanied by greater co-operation on veterinary and phyto-sanitary matters. In negotiating trade agreements with third countries, the EU will step up efforts to ensure that such countries agree similar arrangements with Turkey. The dialogue between the EU and Turkey on trade issues should be enhanced and the use of trade defence instruments kept under review.
• In order to stimulate investment flows, a further liberalisation of foreign direct investment between the EU and Turkey should be pursued.
• Co-operation with Turkey should be reinforced in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, including illegal immigration and adoption and implementation of the Schengen acquis, as well as the free movement of persons, and maritime safety.
• Turkey will participate in a number of Community programmes and agencies.
• The new financial management system has begun to bear fruit. The substantial backlog in commitments of EU finance for Turkey is now being cleared. The pre-accession driven approach in the financial assistance programmes is being fully implemented. From 2003 greater responsibility will be passed to the Turkish authorities for the implementation of these programmes.

The Commission will take the necessary initiatives to put this strengthened pre-accession strategy into place. The Commission will put forward a revised Accession Partnership, taking account of progress made and the areas where further efforts are needed. Progress will be discussed in appropriate fora, such as the EC-Turkey Association Committee and in the Customs Union Joint Committee.

It is therefore necessary to increase the availability of financial assistance to Turkey, bearing in mind Turkey's specific needs and capacity to absorb such funds.

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