European Commission: Strategy Paper and Report 2003

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In the light of the above, the European Commission's conclusions and recommendations are the following:

(1)

This year's Regular Reports show that all candidate countries have made considerable progress over the last year in implementing the accession criteria.

(2)

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia fulfil the political criteria. Bearing in mind the progress achieved by these countries, the track record in implementing their commitments, and taking into account their preparatory work in progress and foreseen, the Commission considers that these countries will have fulfilled the economic and acquis criteria and will be ready for membership from the beginning of 2004. The Commission therefore recommends to conclude the accession negotiations with these countries by the end of this year with the aim to sign the Accession Treaty in spring 2003.

(3)

The Commission hopes to see a re-united Cyprus acceding to the European Union on the basis of a comprehensive settlement, as the best outcome for all concerned. As indicated in the conclusions of the Seville European Council, the EU is ready to accommodate the terms of a political settlement in the accession arrangements in line with the principles on which the European Union is founded. The Commission welcomes that substantial UN involvement will continue and urges all parties concerned and, in particular Turkey, to lend full support to efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement this year. Cyprus' terms of accession can be adapted to reflect the comprehensive settlement as well as its implications for the application of the acquis throughout the island. The Commission has proposed that considerable resources should be made available to support the northern part of the island to catch up and to back up a settlement. In the absence of a settlement, the decisions to be taken in December by the Copenhagen European Council will be based on the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council .

(4)

Acceding countries need to implement the acquis by the date of accession, except in cases where transitional arrangements have been agreed. Commitments undertaken in the negotiations must be fully met before accession. The Regular Reports point to a number of areas where further improvements need to be made in the context of the political and economic criteria and in relationship to the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the acquis. These should be vigorously pursued. In order to analyse progress and to facilitate successful membership of the European Union, the Commission will regularly monitor this and report to Council. The Commission will produce six months before the envisaged date of accession a comprehensive monitoring report for the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission considers that a specific safeguard clause needs to be introduced in the Accession Treaty. This clause should allow the Commission for a limited period of time to take appropriate measures in the internal market field.

(5)

Conclusion of negotiations requires that the necessary solutions be found to the remaining open questions in the negotiations. As to the financial offer of the Union, such solution should be based on the financial framework for negotiations put forward by the Commission on 30 January 2002 and the principles contained therein.

(6)

Bulgaria and Romania have set 2007 as their indicative date for accession. The Commission will strongly support the two countries in achieving this objective, which will continue to be guided by the principles of differentiation and own merits. The Commission will propose, on the basis of the analysis in the 2002 Regular Reports, detailed roadmaps for Bulgaria and Romania before the Copenhagen European Council. In order to prepare Bulgaria and Romania for membership in the European Union, an increased focus will be put on judicial and administrative reform. Furthermore, pre-accession assistance provided to Bulgaria and Romania should be increased considerably from the date of the first round of accessions, linked to progress in implementing the roadmaps. As the accession negotiations with all twelve negotiating candidate countries are an inclusive process, the Accession Treaty should acknowledge that the results reached in the negotiations with those candidates which will not join in the first round of enlargement will not be put into question.

(7)

Through constitutional reform and a series of legislative packages Turkey has made noticeable progress towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria, as well as moving forward on the economic criteria and alignment with the acquis. Nonetheless, considerable further efforts are needed. Against this background and in view of the next stage of its candidature, the Commission recommends that the EU should enhance its support for Turkey's pre-accession preparations and should provide significant additional resources for this purpose. The Commission will propose a revised Accession Partnership and intensify the process of legislative scrutiny. It recommends renewed efforts to extend the Customs Union and improve its functioning, with a view to deepening EC -- Turkey trade relations and increasing investment flows. Turkey is encouraged to pursue its reform process and thus to carry forward its candidature for EU membership.

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