REPORT on the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession
(COM(2000) 713 – C5‑0613/2000 – 2000/2014(COS))  Part 1: Motion for a resolution and explanatory statement  Part 2: Committee opinions - Opinion on Turkey  Part 3: Committee opinions - General opinions

11 October 2001

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy
Rapporteur: Alain Lamassoureon the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s

PROCEDURAL PAGE

By letter of 13 November 2000, the Commission forwarded to Parliament its 2000 Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards accession (COM(2000) 713 – 2000/2014(COS)).

At the sitting of 15 March 2001 the President of Parliament announced that she had referred the Regular Report to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy as the committee responsible and to all committees concerned for their opinions. She confirmed this referral at the sitting of 14 June 2001 (C5‑0613/2000).

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy had appointed Alain Lamassoure rapporteur at its meeting of 20 March 2001.

It considered the Regular Report from the Commission and the draft report at its meetings of 18 June, 11 September and 9-10 October 2001.

At the last meeting it adopted the motion for a resolution by 42 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions.

The following were present for the vote: Elmar Brok (chairman), Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (1st vice-chairman), Alain Lamassoure (rapporteur), Alexandros Alavanos (for Pedro Marset Campos), Danielle Auroi (for Per Gahrton), Alexandros Baltas, Bastiaan Belder, André Brie, Gunilla Carlsson, Carlos Carnero González (for Rosa M. Díez González), Maria Carrilho (for Mário Soares), Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit, John Walls Cushnahan, Joseph Daul (for Hugues Martin), Véronique De Keyser, Karel C.C. Dillen, Andrew Nicholas Duff (for Paavo Väyrynen), Olivier Dupuis (for Emma Bonino), Pere Esteve, Pernille Frahm (for Luigi Vinci), Monica Frassoni (for Elisabeth Schroedter), Michael Gahler, Alfred Gomolka, Bertel Haarder, Giorgos Katiforis (for Raimon Obiols i Germà), Efstratios Korakas, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (for Philippe Morillon pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Joost Lagendijk, Hanja Maij-Weggen (for Jacques Santer), Minerva Melpomeni Malliori (for Pasqualina Napoletano pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Cecilia Malmström (for Francesco Rutelli), Mario Mantovani (for Jas Gawronski pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Ioannis Marinos (for Franco Marini pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Linda McAvan, José María Mendiluce Pereiro (for Sami Naïr), Emilio Menéndez del Valle, Arie M. Oostlander, Hans-Gert Poettering, Jacques F. Poos, Luís Queiró, Jannis Sakellariou, Amalia Sartori, Jürgen Schröder, Ioannis Souladakis, Maj Britt Theorin (for Gary Titley), Johan Van Hecke, Jan Marinus Wiersma and Christos Zacharakis.

The opinions on Turkey by the Committee on Budgetary Control, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities are published separately (Part 2 – A5-0343/2001).

The general opinions by the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs, the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport will be published separately (Part 3 – A5-0343/2001).

The report was tabled on 11 October 2001.

The deadline for tabling amendments will be indicated in the draft agenda for the relevant part-session.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

European Parliament resolution on the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession (COM(2000) 713 – C5‑0613/2000 – 2000/2014(COS))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Turkey’s application for membership of the European Union, submitted on 12 April 1987 pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union,

–   having regard to the ‘Enlargement strategy paper - Report on progress towards accession by each of the candidate countries’ (COM(2000) 700[1]), submitted by the Commission on 9 November 2000,

–   having regard to the decisions taken by the European Council at Copenhagen (21-22 June 1993), Florence (21-22 June 1996), Luxembourg (12-13 December 1997), Helsinki (10-11 December 1999), Nice (7-9 December 2000) and Göteborg (15-16 June 2001),

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey,

–   having regard to the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession (COM(2000) 713), published on 13 November 2000,

–   having regard to Council Decision of 8 March 2001 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership,

–   having regard to Turkey’s National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis, forwarded to the Commission on 26 March 2001,

–   having regard to the conclusions of the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting of 26 June 2001,

–   having regard to the recommendations of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, adopted on 5-6 June 2000,

–   having regard to its resolution of 5 September 2001 on Cyprus[2],

–   having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2001 on human rights in the world in 2000 and the European Union Human Rights Policy[3],

–   having regard to the report of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly of 13 June 2001 on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Turkey,

–   having regard to the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Turkey,

–   having regard to Rule 47(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy and the opinions of the other committees concerned (A5-0343/2001),

A.   whereas the decisions taken in Helsinki, which offered Turkey candidate country status and the opportunity to benefit from the pre-accession strategy, have helped give renewed impetus to the reform process and have facilitated political dialogue at both intergovernmental and parliamentary level,

B.   whereas the deep recession in the Turkish economy over the past several months has been induced by structural weaknesses in the country and exacerbated by an unfavourable financial climate for the emerging countries,

C.   whereas, despite internal splits and tensions, the coalition government in Turkey is politically united in its support for its proposed reform programme aimed at overcoming the financial crisis and modernising the Turkish economy with assistance from the international community,

D.   whereas the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis adopted by Turkey on 19 March 2001 takes up the main thrust of the priorities set out in the Accession Partnership and for the first time makes a comprehensive assessment of the potential effect of European integration on Turkey and puts forwards a wide-ranging political and economic reform programme; useful as a beginning of the vast transformation needed for the modernisation of Turkey, but unfortunately without a clear enough “road map” and timetable,

E.   in view of the proposal for a Council decision presented by the Commission on 23 August 2001 concerning the conclusion of a Framework Agreement leading to the opening of Community programmes to Turkey,

F.   drawing attention to the many recent and less recent criticisms levelled against Turkey by the Council of Europe and by the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, and to the reports of the Turkish Human Rights Association and Human Rights Foundation on the current human rights situation in Turkey,

G.   whereas Turkey has largely overcome the difficulties posed by various forms of terrorism in the past, and thus there is now nothing to prevent it from building the political and administrative institutions of a democracy at peace,

H.   whereas the Turkish Constitution, approved under military rule in 1982, fails to provide an adequate legal framework to guarantee the rule of law and fundamental freedoms; whereas thorough constitutional reform alone will enable to Turkey to embrace democracy wholeheartedly and irrevocably,

I.   whereas the security forces have carried out numerous attacks on participants in demonstrations against the consequences of the continuing economic crisis and on participants in the HADEP party’s peace demonstrations, and have frequently resorted, without any legal basis, to the practice of intercepting communications,

J.   whereas the reforms under way are still encumbered by too many political or legal decisions, which are holding back necessary progress on fundamental rights and the establishment of a healthier relationship between politics and the economy,

K.   having regard to the continuing hunger strike in Turkish prisons and the growing number of prisoners who have died as a result,

L.   whereas the continuing deadlock in the search for a comprehensive and satisfactory solution to the Cyprus problem is such as to seriously disrupt the enlargement process by undermining the efforts already under way and compromising the region’s future,

M.   strongly rejecting the criticism by the Turkish Foreign Ministry of its rapporteur for Cyprus, Mr Jacques Poos,

On political developments, constitutional reform and human rights

1.   Notes the legislative efforts made by the Turkish Grand National Assembly in the current constitutional reform process and encourages it to pursue its indispensable work with determination in order to provide Turkey with a modern constitution guaranteeing a fully functioning democratic state, transparent governance on the basis of the rule of law and specifically with respect for individual and collective rights and freedoms;

2.   Takes note of the constitutional amendments already adopted, including those which remove military judges from the State Security Courts, extend the scope of the amnesty law and reduce police custody periods; urges the Turkish authorities to see to it that these amendments are swiftly, fully and properly enforced, but expects the abolition of the State security courts in the coming years and the broadest possible extension of amnesty;

3.   Calls on Turkey to ratify and implement the UN conventions on political, civil, social and cultural rights which it signed recently and particularly stresses the importance of ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, its optional protocol and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;

4.   Notes, however, that sweeping reform is still required in the field of human rights in order to abolish once and for all the practices and structures that have sullied Turkey’s image within the international community; welcomes the setting-up of a human rights watchdog committee reporting to the prime minister; regrets however that the document of that committee, despite having been sanctioned as a working and reference document by the Turkish Council of Ministers on 21 September 2000, was not more thoroughly incorporated in the constitutional amendments proposals;

5.   Calls on the Turkish authorities, in their efforts to improve the human rights situation in Turkey, to respect the principles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights;

6.   Urges the Commission and the Turkish authorities to make the best possible use of financial cooperation for the implementation of projects to promote Turkey’s enforcement of the Copenhagen criteria; supports the Commission initiative to launch, in conjunction with the Turkish authorities, a framework programme to promote human rights in the administration, the police and the armed forces, and calls on the Commission to put the said programme into operation and actively pursue the adherence of the Turkish political leadership to the said programme;

7.   Deplores the fact that, in spite of the adoption of a considerable number of legislative, administrative and training measures seeking to eradicate torture, the toll of victims remains high;

8.   Notes that one of the key objectives of the pre-accession strategy is to promote and reinforce a community of values between the two parties in civil society;

9.   Welcomes Turkey's adoption of the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis setting out a programme of the reforms required to meet the Copenhagen criteria as a first significant step in the right direction; regards it as vital, however, that this programme be backed up with details of the actual substance of the undertakings concerned and a timetable for their implementation; expects that the Programme will be adapted to embrace further reform as the first phase of the constitutional amendments takes effect;

10.   Urges Turkey to propose a precise timetable for fulfilling the political criteria of Copenhagen as soon as possible;

11.   Points out that moves by Turkey towards a system of multiparty democracy require that full control over political decision-making lie with the democratically elected civil authorities and that, in the current transition period, the parliament be able to monitor the activities of the National Security Council; recalls, in this connection, the Commission’s worrying observation in its regular report on Turkey for 2000 that ‘There has been no change in the role played by the National Security Council in Turkish political life’;

12.   Urges the Turkish authorities to undertake to enforce immediately the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, beginning with the judgment in the Loizidou case, as a sign of the country’s desire to establish a fully fledged constitutional state; stresses the need to create the legal channels through which a review can take place of the prosecution procedures applied to former parliamentarians from the Party for Democracy (DEP) and the sentences handed down to them;

13.   Urges the Turkish authorities to take all the necessary measures for the full restoration of civil and political rights as a matter of course in cases in which a judgment has been handed down against Turkey by the European Court of Human Rights;

14.   Takes note of the Court judgment of 31 July last, which held that Turkey had not violated Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights (on freedom of assembly and association) in dissolving the Welfare Party (Refah Partisi) in 1998; however, impresses upon the Turkish authorities the need to see to it that the principles of multiparty democracy, nurtured by freedom of expression, are upheld, and to ensure that the provisions of the constitution do not obstruct the activities of political parties or their elected representatives; in this regard, voices its concern at the ban imposed on the Virtue Party last June; calls on the relevant Turkish authorities to deal with the matter of the banning and disbanding of political parties in line with the criteria drawn up by the Venice Commission;

15.   Calls on Turkey to lower the electoral threshold set % by electoral law, and to carry out a thorough review of its law on political parties;

16.   Takes note of the plan for a constitutional amendment aimed at partially lifting the restrictions on the use of the Kurdish language; hopes that this gesture will be followed by others leading to a comprehensive solution of the Kurdish problem and to constitutional provisions on cultural rights that will entitle the different cultural communities on Turkish soil to affirm their identity freely without jeopardising the unity of the country, in accordance with the spirit of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; therefore urges the Turkish authorities to speed up the implementation of the global strategy for economic, social and cultural development planned for the south-east region of the country, in a spirit of dialogue and openness, and to take all necessary measures to establish a lasting social peace in the area, in particular by lifting the state of emergency in the four provinces concerned;

17.   Calls on the Turkish authorities to employ in an active and vigorous way all legal, administrative and educational means available to combat the alarming scale of corruption, which, as the President of the Republic has repeatedly pointed out, is a real scourge of social and political life in Turkey and could impede further reforms;

18.   Welcomes the adoption of the laws amending the Penal Code, the law on the prosecution of civil servants and the law on combating organised crime; emphasises, however, that administrative and legal hurdles must be removed in order to enforce these laws; calls on the Turkish authorities to pursue their work to draw up a new Code of Criminal Procedure conforming with the standards of the European Union, and to revise as a matter of urgency paragraphs 312 and 159 of the Penal Code and Article 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act in order to prevent people being prosecuted for their opinions; demands the release of Leyla Zana, winner of the European Parliament Sakharov Prize, and of the former MPs of Kurdish origin imprisoned because of the views they hold;

19.   Takes note of the reform of the prison system as a necessary means of remedying the system’s shortcomings; deplores, however, the number of hunger-strike victims and the scale of human tragedy provoked by that decision; asks the government to engage itself in the reforms proposed by the European Parliament mission visiting the prisons, as a step towards putting an end to this still ongoing tragedy;

20.   Stresses the need for more strenuous efforts to raise awareness of the European Union amongst civil society and thus win its backing for the reforms from which it will benefit, irrespective of possible EU membership in the future; urges all reformist forces in Turkey to unite in a political campaign aimed at boosting support for and understanding of membership of the European Union, and in particular at disseminating information about the Charter of Fundamental Rights;

21.   Urges Turkey and the EU Member States to work together to combat drug trafficking operations, the scale of which is huge and constantly increasing, in particular by means of close cooperation between the judicial and police authorities and Europol; welcomes Turkey’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime;

On the economic climate and economic and trade relations between the EU and Turkey

22.   Welcomes the efforts made by the Turkish Government in implementing the economic reforms required to bring the country out of its financial crisis; believes that this attempt to stabilise the economy has begun to bear fruit; insists that the efforts to combat corruption in the state sector must be enhanced; urges the Turkish authorities to pursue their efforts at macroeconomic adjustment with a view to curbing inflation and reversing the spiral of domestic indebtedness as key steps towards restoring confidence amongst economic operators and resuming sustained growth;

23.   Is deeply concerned about the social impact of the prolonged economic and financial crisis; favours moving swiftly to provide the EU financial assistance to back up the reform process, especially in the social sphere, and in particular as regards the establishment of the rule of law and the promotion of civil society; believes that, although the volume of assistance granted has been increased, it is not yet commensurate with the scale of trade relations between Turkey and the EU;

24.   Calls on the Turkish authorities to see to it that the acts of legislation adopted as a matter of urgency are in line with the Community acquis; believes that it would be beneficial for such acts to be subject to routine and thorough scrutiny by the subcommittees set up by the Association Council to prepare the procedure for the analytical examination of Turkey’s legislation; calls on the Commission to provide all relevant technical assistance in this respect;

25.   Stresses the importance of the EU-Turkey customs union and the benefit thereof for both parties; points out, however, that if its impact is to be fully harnessed, Turkey must pursue its efforts on the legislative front in the fields of competition, customs, state monopolies and the organisation of administrative structures at management level, and must lift remaining barriers to trade;

26.   Stresses the need for Turkey to be equipped with modern legislation on the right to strike and collective bargaining;

On Turkey’s external relations

27.   Calls on the Turkish authorities to adopt a constructive approach and use their decisive influence to provide effective support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General by inviting the Turkish Cypriot side to resume proximity talks so that a comprehensive solution can be reached before accession, according to the conclusions of the EU Helsinki summit;

28.   Welcomes the commencement of dialogue between the Turkish and Greek authorities aimed at creating a climate of confidence in respect of security and developing specific cooperation measures; hopes that this dialogue will in the near future result in the settlement of outstanding disputes between the two sides, this being laid down in the Accession Partnership document as part of "political criteria and the reinforced political dialogue";

29.   Welcomes the contribution made by Turkey to the international community’s efforts to create peace in the Balkans and to combat international terrorism and strongly urges the Turkish authorities to make a constructive contribution towards implementing the agreement between the EU and NATO;

30.   Calls for Turkey to be included in the debate on the future of Europe, in the same way as the other candidate countries; on this point, believes that the Euro-Turkish forum proposed last year could provide a suitable setting for this debate, to which political figures, intellectuals and representatives of civil society from both sides would be invited;

31.   Supports the civil initiative launched by a group of former diplomats and academics from Turkey and Armenia, the aim of which is to arrive at a common understanding of the past; believes that this initiative, together with others, should lead to the normalisation of relations between the communities and states concerned;

32.   Urges, in this regard, Turkey to take all the necessary measures to establish a favourable climate to the stability of the whole Caucasus region; asks Turkey, in this regard, to play an active part in restoring the dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and considers that lifting the blockade on Armenia could be a first concrete step towards a pacification of the region;

33.   Encourages the Turkish authorities to carry out greater mutual cooperation in the field of education and training policy with the other candidate countries and to promote professional training for women and gender equality;

34.   Urges the Turkish Government to engage with its European partners to stop the trafficking of migrants from and across its territory;

35.   Notes that the coming months will prove crucial as a means of judging the true scope and impact of economic and political reform; hopes to be in a position to give its view on subsequent progress in relations between Turkey and the Union in autumn 2002;

36.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the parliaments of the Member States and the government and parliament of Turkey.

• [1] Not yet published in OJ.
• [2] Texts adopted, Item 18.
• [3] Texts adopted, Item 14.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Following Parliament’s adoption, in November 2000, of its resolution on Turkey’s progress towards accession, there have been several important events which have transformed Turkey’s political and economic climate and our mutual relations.

First, the serious financial crisis which struck Turkey twice (in November 2000 and in February 2001) caused the Turkish pound to lose almost half its exchange value. At the instigation of Mr K. Dervis, former vice-president of the World Bank, the Turkish Government had to act quickly to prepare and introduce a radical stabilisation and recovery plan with the support of the international community – the International Monetary Fund, which granted about $19 billion in loans, the World Bank and the European Union.

The plan was signed by the three coalition government partners, and has been in operation since spring, with relatively satisfying results. It has made it possible to undertake basic reforms, which had been put off for too long, such as privatisation of the banks and, in general, the establishment of a healthier relationship between politics and the economy. In the short term, however, one of its unavoidable effects has been a severe drop in GDP – 7 to 8% lower for 2001 – which may have serious social consequences. The worsening of world economic conditions, both before and after 11 September, can, unfortunately, only make efforts to recover more difficult.

In the political sphere, the year was marked by dramatic developments in Turkish prisons.

Acceding to urgent requests from the international community, deploring the disastrous state of prisons, the Turkish authorities introduced fundamentally different prisons, which meet the highest European standards but in which the prisoners can be more easily isolated. Some extremist groups seized the opportunity to initiate a trial of strength, using large groups of hunger strikers. In the spring, a parliamentary committee led by our colleague Daniel Cohn-Bendit visited the prisons close to Istanbul and Ankara and submitted a number of proposals to the Minister of Justice. Unfortunately, in October the hunger strike continues, with a sombre total of about 40 deaths to date, and the Turkish authorities have not been able to find a solution.

The third notable fact is that Turkey has made a genuine start in moving closer to European standards, in accordance with the European Union’s recommendations. In March 2001 the government presented its national programme for the adoption of the acquis. It is true that this first list of reforms is still vague as to the timetable for implementation and the exact scope of the proposed measures. However, as soon as it resumed sitting in the autumn, the Grand National Assembly got down to considering several dozen constitutional amendments, the first half of which were adopted at the beginning of October. The results still lag behind current democratic standards: the death penalty has not been totally abolished, the non-Turkish languages are no longer banned, but are not fully recognised, the National Security Council remains, but civilians play a more significant part within it. Above all, the principle of the supremacy of international law – and thus, possibly, in the near future, of European law – over national law has been expressly ruled out. Undeniable progress has nonetheless been made, which the European Commission and the Council of Europe have welcomed as such. On 8 October, the government tabled a second legislative package of rights and freedoms, which relate to the penal code and penal procedure and the laws on anti-terrorism, the press, political parties, associations and demonstrations.

Finally, the introduction of the anti-terrorist coalition, after 11 September, has provided Turkey with an opportunity to make use of its strategic location and its military and political strengths in a middle East which is once again engaged in world conflict.

At the end of a year which has on occasion been turbulent, the situation remains very mixed. On the one hand, some genuine advances should be welcomed. At a particularly difficult economic time, a large part of government and parliamentary activity has been devoted to basic reforms linked to moving closer to Europe. Outside parliament, this summer saw the beginnings of a public debate on the ‘taboo’ subject of the role of the military in political life. President Sezer’s courage in denouncing corruption, an endemic disease of Turkish society, and in using his legislative veto against texts which represented a step backwards for democracy, should also be noted.

There are also delays and even retreats. The draft reform of the audiovisual legislation was rightly criticised by the president of the republic, since it did not comply with the principle of the independence of the audiovisual sector in relation to the political powers. The dissolution of the main opposition party (the Virtue Party) demonstrated that the political system has not stabilised and that changes in the law regarding the status of political parties are required as a matter of urgency. The same is true of the astonishing proceedings instituted against Mrs Piskinsüt, president of the parliamentary committee investigating torture.

In general, a gulf persists between good intentions and reality in the human rights field, where progress is too slow: the torture and degrading treatment of detainees continues to be widespread, freedom of expression is still unusually restricted and several thousand people currently in prison for offences would under our laws be considered prisoners of conscience. The main groups working to defend human rights remain subject to what amounts to legal harassment. Peaceful demonstrations are often suppressed with unnecessary brutality. In the midst of a parliamentary debate on freedom of expression, on 24 September, a quarterly review whose editors include the president of the Court of Cassation was seized for publishing an article critical of the military.

The end of armed terrorism by the PKK has not yet been turned to account in embarking on an overall policy towards the south-east provinces and Kurdish identity, and likewise the unambiguous European Court of Human Rights judgment has not been used as an opportunity to set free Leyla Zana and the other former parliamentarians from the Democratic People’s Party (HADEP), still in prison.

Finally, since the consideration of the Poos report by Parliament, we have seen Mr Denktash’s surprising refusal to restart the negotiations proposed by Commissioner Verheugen and the UN Secretary-General on the status of Cyprus.

In this area as in others, the impression remains that the signs of openness which are on occasion expressed by governmental authorities may be challenged by military powers, which still have an unusual influence on Turkish politics.

CONCLUSION

The coming year will be crucial in testing the true wish of Turkish political leaders and Turkish society to move closer to the European Union. Over the coming weeks it will be possible to gauge the exact scope of the constitutional and legislative reforms regarding the rule of law and human rights. Coming months will be vital in judging efforts to modernise the economy. Finally, on the crucial issue of the status of Cyprus, after 27 years of political deadlock, the moment of truth extends from now until autumn 2002: the end of negotiations on Cyprus’s accession to the EU are set for that date, and this will make it necessary, finally, for both parties to adopt a clear position. Our judgement will be based on the facts.

Turkey wishes to have its own models for society and democracy. This is a perfectly legitimate objective. The European Union does not impose one single model. On the contrary, its special achievement lies in bringing about the coexistence and collaboration of peoples who have had very different histories – for a long time mutually hostile – and who on occasion have very different ideas on fundamental subjects such as the organisation of society, changing moral values, relations between religion and politics, the introduction of new technologies, the status of minority communities or races, and territorial administration and the application of the subsidiarity principle. But there are two needs which we all acknowledge. First of all, that there are universal values which make it necessary that fundamental human and democratic rights are guaranteed in the same way everywhere; secondly, that the models conceived last century must be adjusted to the needs of this one. Working towards Europe is a way of helping one another to comply with these requirements and to preserve our special qualities in an exciting and dangerous world.

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY CONTROL

25 June 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession

(COM(2000) 713 – C5‑0613/2001 – 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Herbert Bösch

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Budgetary Control appointed Anne Ferreira draftsman at its meeting of 26 May 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 29 May and 18 June 2001.

At the last meeting it adopted the following conclusions unanimously.

The following were present for the vote: Diemut R. Theato, chairman; Herbert Bösch, vice-chairman and draftsman; Freddy Blak, vice-chairman; Jean-Louis Bourlanges (for Thierry B. Jean-Pierre), Mogens N.J. Camre (for Isabelle Caullery), Bert Doorn (for Christopher Heaton-Harris), Christos Folias (for Raffaele Costa), Emmanouil Mastorakis (for Helmut Kuhne), Jan Mulder (for Lousewies van der Laan), Michel-Ange Scarbonchi, Esko Olavi Seppänen (for Marianne Eriksson), Rijk van Dam, Michiel van Hulten and Kyösti Tapio Virrankoski (for Antonio Di Pietro).

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

It should be noted that, in the case of Turkey, compliance with the Copenhagen political criteria is a precondition for the opening of accession negotiations, which Turkey has not yet satisfied.

However, on 8 November 2000 the Commission produced a report on the progress made by Turkey towards accession which, like the reports submitted on the other candidate countries, is based on consideration of the 30 chapters of the Community acquis. Chapter 28, which relates to financial control, has therefore been carefully 'screened'.

This opinion for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy draws attention to those aspects of internal and external financial control, management of Community funds, protection of the European Union's financial interests and control measures relating to own resources where a particular effort needs to be made to satisfy Community standards.

The following recommendations are based on a compilation of data reproduced below, which has been provided by the European Parliament's Directorate-General for Research, the Commission - Directorate-General for Enlargement - and by the relevant applicant countries through their permanent representations to the European Union.

I.   INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL SYSTEM

Responsible Central Bodies

Ministry of Finance

-   Board of Controllers carries out conformity-checks (limited to regularity and legality of spending transactions) but also, with the Board of Treasury Auditors, regular audits and spot checks on ex post transactions to ensure proper observation of legislation on budgetary discipline

-   bureaucratic system.

Operational Bodies

-   129 audit units in public agencies and organisations (>13000 auditors)

-   financial management responsibilities fragmented among several administrations, each headed by a different Minister

-   central budget submitted to Parliament excludes revolving funds and extra-budgetary Funds

-   revolving fund and agencies with special accounts conduct off-budget operations amounting to more than 1% of GNP.

Commission Recommendations

-   develop Public Internal Financial Control Policy Paper for future development strategies relating to financial management and control systems and internal audit systems in the Turkish public sector

-   introduce fiscal management system based on principles of transparency, accountability, cost-effectiveness

-   pass general law on auditing standards and procedures

-   review standards and procedures by external auditors

-   publish auditing reports

-   reinforce financial management and transparency

-   introduce effective follow-up of control/audit findings

-   ensure all ex-post internal and external controls assess soundness and reliability of accounting and financial procedures

-   Ministry of Finance to audit spending systems

-   internal control measures to prevent and deter corruption

-   introduce information technology to control public finances.

II.   EXTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL SYSTEM

Turkish Court of Auditors (TCA)

-   overlap with other institutions: ex ante control of all budget payment orders which conflicts with ex post external control functions

-   lack of adequate cooperation from ministries

-   narrow scope (1999:only one sixth of all public accounts)

-   limited auditing capacity

-   lack of Plan-Programme Budget System (computerised Fiscal Management Information system).

Commission Recommendations

-   abolish the ex ante control functions of the TCA

-   act independently of the Government-introduce general law on auditing standards and procedures

-   review standards by external auditors

-   publish audit reports

-   avoid circumvention of auditing

-   empower TCA to put risk areas of the public sector in scope of Audit Programmes.

III.   STRUCTURAL ACTION EXPENDITURE AND PROTECTION OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS

EU Internal Economic and Technical Co-ordination Council: ensures co-ordination between relevant ministries on technical and economic subjects; can monitor actual expenditure but no authority for internal financial control or auditing.

Commission Recommendations

-   continuous and systematic process of targeting priority and risks areas, instead of ad hoc reactions to administrative requests

-   legislate for application of standards and principles used in EU

-   make ex ante controls and internal audit complementary to each other

-   reinforce administrative structures dealing with regional development, both at central level and regional level

-   clarify roles and responsibility of government agencies.

IV.   CONTROL MEASURES RELATING TO OWN RESOURCES

Tax administration being strengthened

Tax legislation not yet harmonised with acquis

Many projects receiving foreign assistance are not included in the budget

Inappropriate administrative structures for EU co-financed measures.

Commission Recommendations

-   align with EU tax legislation, especially for VAT

-   strengthen administrative capacity

-   modernise customs administration and harmonise with EU

-   introduce appropriate internal control measures (to prevent and deter corruption)

-   complete alignment for calculation of VAT and GNP resources.

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Budgetary Control calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points in its motion for a resolution:

A.   Whereas Community pre-accession aid, which comes out of the EU taxpayer’s pocket, must be enabled to benefit Turkey under the best possible conditions as regards management, control, transparency and efficiency, and in order for this to happen appropriate and well-run management and financial control systems are essential, as is the development of an anti-fraud culture and system,

1.   Notes that there are still serious shortcomings in the financial control systems resulting from a lack of coherence and harmonisation among the many public bodies engaged in this sector;

2.   Calls on the Turkish financial control authorities to make the necessary adjustments, as recommended by the Commission and in accordance with the national programme to adopt the 2001 acquis;

3.   Insists that priority should be given to fighting corruption by the establishment of an anti-fraud unit cooperating with the relevant services of the European Union;

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

30 May 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession

(COM(2000) 713 – C5‑0613/2001 – 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Miet Smet

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs appointed Miet Smet draftsperson at its meeting of 12 April 2000.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 3 and 29 May 2001.

At the last meeting it adopted the following conclusions unanimously.

The following were present for the vote: Winfried Menrad, acting chairman; José Ribeiro e Castro, vice-chairman; Miet Smet, draftsperson; Sylviane H. Ainardi, Jan Andersson, Elspeth Attwooll (for Daniel Ducarme), María Antonia Avilés Perea, Regina Bastos, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Chantal Cauquil (for Ilda Figueiredo), Luciano Caveri, Alejandro Cercas, Luigi Cocilovo, Elisa Maria Damião, Proinsias De Rossa, Den Dover (for Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou), Harald Ettl, Jillian Evans, Carlo Fatuzzo, Hélène Flautre, Fiorella Ghilardotti, Anne-Karin Glase, Jorge Salvador Hernández Mollar (for Raffaele Lombardo), Stephen Hughes, Anne Elisabet Jensen (for Luciana Sbarbati), Pierre Jonckheer (for Ian Stewart Hudghton), Karin Jöns, Ioannis Koukiadis, Arlette Laguiller, Jean Lambert, Elizabeth Lynne, Thomas Mann, Manuel Pérez Álvarez, Bartho Pronk, Tokia Saïfi, Herman Schmid, Ieke van den Burg, Anne E.M. Van Lancker, Barbara Weiler and Sabine Zissener (for Mario Mantovani).

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points in its motion for a resolution:

1.   Notes the stage reached and Turkey's very limited progress in transposing the social acquis communautaire, and draws attention to the consequences for the opening of any accession negotiations with Turkey;

2.   Advises Turkey urgently to adopt arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the social acquis communautaire in relation to health and safety, information and consultation, working conditions and conditions of employment, having regard to the situation of and developments in Turkish employment law;

3.   Takes strong exception to the failure to eliminate child labour or to allow employee and trade-union rights to come into effect;

4.   Affirms the value and importance of the European social dialogue and draws attention to the insufficient character of the Turkish social dialogue, for the purposes either of participating in the European social dialogue or of transposing the social acquis communautaire;

5.   Points out that the de jure and de facto reservation of certain occupations exclusively for Turkish nationals infringes against the free movement of labour;

6.   Welcomes the reforms to the social security system; urges that provision also be made for raising unemployment insurance and public health care facilities to acceptable levels; draws attention also to the problems faced by the disabled;

7.   Requests the Turkish government to determine how the ability to transpose and implement the social acquis communautaire can be extended, and then to adopt measures actually to do so in practice;

8   Calls for the accurate transposition and satisfactory implementation of the directive against discrimination on the basis of race or ethnic origins;

9.   Welcomes the progress recorded since publication of the year-2000 periodical report, in particular the framework regulation on the accession partnership, the partnership agreement and the national programme on adopting the European Union's acquis communautaire.

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

25 June 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession

(COM(2000) 713 – C5‑0613/2001 – 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Anna Karamanou

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities appointed Anna Karamanou draftsperson at its meeting of 20 March 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 29 May and 20 and 21 June 2001.

At the last meeting it adopted the following conclusions unanimously.

The following were present for the vote: Maj Britt Theorin, chairperson; Anna Karamanou, draftsperson; María Antonia Avilés Perea, Maria Berger, Lone Dybkjær, Lissy Gröner, Heidi Anneli Hautala, Mary Honeyball, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Thomas Mann, Maria Martens, Ria G.H.C. Oomen-Ruijten (for Astrid Lulling), Patsy Sörensen and Joke Swiebel.

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points in its motion for a resolution:

-   whereas equality between men and women is a fundamental principle and a fundamental right pursuant to Articles 2 and 3(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, and the case law of the European Court of Justice,

-   having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the United Nations agreements on individual and civil rights and on economic, social and cultural rights, and the ILO (International Labour Organisation) Conventions, to which all the Member States are signatories, and to the Beijing Declaration and the United Nations Platform for Action,

-   having regard to the conclusions of the European Council meeting in Nice in December 2000, which declared gender equality to be a fundamental social and economic strategic objective of the European Community and an essential condition for economic development and social progress,

Α.   emphasising that adoption of the EC acquis in the area of equality between men and women is a sine qua non for Turkey's accession to the European Union since it is a question essentially of human rights and that the necessary institution building or reinforcement of institutional and administrative capacity in this area is a vital pre-requisite to full implementation of the acquis,

Β.   noting the serious discrimination against women enshrined in law, particularly civil law, many articles of which – as the Turkish women's organisation KADER has pointed out – are in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Turkey has ratified; notes with satisfaction that amendment of the Civil Code has finally been included on the agenda of the National Assembly; expresses its concern, however, at the unconstructive events which occurred during discussion of the matter in the responsible Parliamentary Justice Commission,

C.   noting, with regard to women's right to work, the high level of unemployment affecting women (39.6%), which is worse in rural areas, the limited number of working women who are covered by social security – only 12% of the total of workers covered – and the fact that, despite the reference in Article 26 of the Labour Code to the principle of equal pay for equal work, women are paid less and have poor working conditions, with lower earnings and no measures to protect them in maternity since employers have the right to dismiss them once parental leave has expired; noting with satisfaction, however, that the National Programme provides for changes to labour law, particularly in regard to pregnancy and parental leave,

D.   noting that the National Programme does not promote the incorporation of equality in all policies (mainstreaming) and does not provide for any positive action, particularly in terms of women's representation on decision-making bodies, where their numbers are extremely low, with only 22 women among the 550 members of parliament and only 1.5% in local government, while there is no mention in most parties' statutes of the role and the participation of women in the political life of the country,

Ε.   noting with regret the low numbers of women taking part in education and vocational training, and the high illiteracy and school drop-out rates, particularly in the eastern regions of the country;

F.   noting the high rates of domestic violence and the total lack of legal and advisory support for victims; noting also that rape within marriage is not a criminal offence,

G.   noting that public spending on health cannot even cover basic public services; regretting that women are particularly vulnerable, since owing to the inadequacy of medical services, deaths in childbirth account for 5.2% of total female mortality,

1.   Calls on the Turkish Government to continue its efforts, in cooperation with the Commission, to consolidate the pre-accession strategy for incorporating the Community acquis;

2.   Calls on the Turkish Government to carry out a thorough revision of all the legislative and regulatory provisions which are in breach of the principle of gender equality, while ensuring that the necessary mechanisms and resources are in place to ensure effective implementation;

3.   Calls on the Commission to grant financial support to Turkey to fully align its methods of collecting and analysing statistical data with current European Community standards; calls on the Turkish Government to process statistical data by gender, using a method compatible with that used in the EC, in order to raise awareness of problems and facilitate comparison, as well as to monitor the equality situation in the other countries

4.   Calls on the Commission and the Council to link the enlargement process to the implementation of effective measures to prevent and combat violence against and sexual exploitation of women and to tackle the problem of domestic violence, as well as addressing the role of Turkey as a transit country for trafficking in women; to that end calls for the provision of appropriate European financial and technical assistance for Turkey; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and the candidate countries, to take effective measures to promote networks and partnerships between police, judicial, migration and social authorities, NGOs and international organisations;

5.   Calls for particular focus on improving education, vocational training and attendance at school as fundamental steps towards increasing female employment, particular in the towns and cities; calls for the funding for implementing the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth for Europe programmes to address these issues in particular;

6.   Calls on the Commission to promote fully Turkey's participation in Community programmes which strengthen gender equality and especially in the programme relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005), as well as in the STOP and DAPHNE programmes to combat violence against women;

7.   Calls on Turkey to apply the Council Recommendation of 2 December 1996[1] on the balanced participation of women and men in the decision-making process when elections are next held.

8.   Calls on the Turkish Government to enshrine the principle of gender equality in the Turkish Constitution by amending that Constitution accordingly.

• [1] OJ L 319, 10.12.1996, p. 11.

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CITIZENS' FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS,
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

4 July 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the applications from Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Turkey and Malta to join the European Union (COM(2000) 701-713 – C5-0601-613/2000 – 1997/2171-2181(COC), 1999/2029(COS) and 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsmen: Maria Berger and Arie M. Oostlander

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs appointed Maria Berger and Arie M. Oostlander draftsmen at its meeting of 29 May 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 19-20 June and 3 July 2001.

At the latter meeting it adopted the following conclusions unanimously.

The following took part in the vote: Graham R. Watson, chairman; Maria Berger and Arie M. Oostlander, draftsmen; Niall Andrews, Mary Elizabeth Banotti, Mario Borghezio (for Carlos Coelho pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Alima Boumediene-Thiery, Marco Cappato, Michael Cashman, Carmen Cerdeira Morterero (for Elena Ornella Paciotti), Ozan Ceyhun, Thierry Cornillet, Margot Keßler, Timothy Kirkhope, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar (for Jorge Salvador Hernández Mollar), Paolo Pastorelli (for Charlotte Cederschiöld pursuant to Rule 153(2)), Hubert Pirker, Giacomo Santini (for Marcello Dell’Utri), Ingo Schmitt (for Hartmut Nassauer), Patsy Sörensen, Joke Swiebel, Anna Terrón i Cusí and Olga Zrihen Zaari (for Gianni Vattimo pursuant to Rule 153(2)).

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points into its motion for a resolution:

The following points have to be considered as an interim opinion as a more detailed analysis will be issued by this committee once updated facts are available and negotiations will then enter their final phase.

1.   Expresses its concern about the applicant countries’ ability to implement the acquis in the field of Justice and Home Affairs within a short time period and considering that this area of Justice and Home Affairs reaches the heart of society, the rule of law and the confidence of the citizens; stresses therefore the importance of giving special priority to this area;

2.   Underlines in particular that the structure of state and institutions in Turkey as such constitutes a barrier to implementation of the JHA acquis; therefore notes that the necessary reform of the Turkish state and society will be a painful and long-lasting process;

3.   Underlines the importance of cooperation with the Council of Europe, for instance as in the joint Council of Europe – EU programme OCTOPUS II;

4.   Urges the applicant countries to bring up freely the difficulties they face in implementing the acquis in order to enable the Commission to provide for complementary assistance and support where needed;

Respect for fundamental rights

-   justice

5.   Welcomes the abolition of the death penalty in the applicant countries in Central and Eastern Europe and urges Turkey to proceed in the same manner;

6.   Notes that despite progress, significant improvements are still needed in terms of the independence of the judiciary, qualifications and number of judges so that the public may benefit from a fair and efficient justice system; and emphasises, in that connection, that further legislative reforms are required in order to guarantee the independence of the judiciary and a fair trial for those facing prosecution;

7.   Acknowledges the valuable support which has been provided thus far under various pre‑accession aid programmes for the process of raising standards in the areas of justice and home affairs;

8.   Draws attention to the need for judges and lawyers, and also politicians and civil servants, to improve their knowledge of European law and its application and calls on the countries concerned and the European institutions to implement or step up

in-service training measures;

9.   Calls for the process of acceding to international human rights agreements to be moved forward in all the applicant countries and for the legal status quo in Bulgaria to be brought into line with international human rights standards with a view to preventing, by means of legal provisions, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment and punishments and all other forms of violence;

-   police

10.   Notes that many cases of undue violence are still committed and therefore calls on applicant countries to pursue measures to improve their police qualifications and behaviour by way of training programmes on issues of democracy, human rights, respect for minorities and the right of asylum; also invites these countries to favour diversified recruitment in the police;

-   prisons

11.   Notes that, despite some progress, prison conditions often remain very unsatisfactory in most of the applicant countries and therefore invites those countries to improve the situation, develop training programmes and (in the case of those which have not done so) to ensure that prison administrations are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice;

-   minorities

12.   Welcomes the action plans launched by several applicant countries in favour of Romany minorities and expects those plans to be effectively implemented, in particular concerning access to education, employment and housing, and to take into account the political, economic, social and cultural discrimination which the Romany minorities still suffer;

13.   Notes the progress concerning the situation of Russian-speaking minorities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania owing to the enforcement of the language-training programmes and underlines again the critical situation of the Kurdish minority in Turkey;

14.   Urges the governments concerned to step up their efforts to improve the situation of;

• -children (especially in Bulgaria and Romania), by ratifying and implementing the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and, as a matter of the utmost necessity, improving living conditions and the provision of care and education in homes for children, particularly those who are mentally and physically disabled;
• -women, denouncing fundamentalist practices which downgrade the position of women in society,
• -homosexuals (in particular by repealing discriminatory criminal law provisions - Bulgaria (Article 157 of the Penal Code), Cyprus (Article 171 of the Penal Code), Hungary (Article 199 of the Penal Code), Lithuania (Article 122 of the Penal Code) and Romania (Article 200 of the Penal Code) - provisions of the kind which the European Commission on Human Rights has deemed incompatible with the ECHR);
• -conscientious objectors;

15.   Calls on the governments concerned to adopt strategies for integrating minorities, to recognise their legitimate rights and, in particular, to introduce legislation against discrimination pursuant to Article 13 of the EU Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights; also calls on the Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia to draw up reports indicating the measures to be taken in the fight against racism in the applicant countries;

-   asylum

16.   Points to the still inadequate nature of the asylum procedure in several applicant countries, notably with regard to statutory provisions and procedures, access to asylum procedures (refugees refused entry at the border or arbitrarily detained; unsatisfactory functioning of administrative tribunals); therefore calls on the applicant countries to honour their commitments under international agreements and to improve their policies in this field and to be guided by best practices in those areas where EU standards are lacking;

17.   Stresses that the enforcement of border controls must not interfere with the right of refugees to access asylum procedures and the principle of non-refoulement; calls in this context for the establishment of mandatory rules so as to guarantee the compatibility of readmission practices and the right of asylum, as well as for the constitution of permanent bodies with NGO representatives, which should be in charge of monitoring the implementation of readmission agreements;

-   religious freedom

18.   Emphasises that in Bulgaria the entire set of rules governing freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and the freedom to exercise religious belief must be revised;

Justice and police cooperation

19.   Calls on the applicant countries to further improve societal orientation and the quality of the police and judiciary, in particular by training and improving the scientific know-how of their staff in order to be able to participate in European judicial and police cooperation (Eurojust and Europol);

20.   Calls on Europol and EU Member States to assist in the training of police and legal experts from the applicant countries in the prevention of international crime and to increase the exchange of knowledge with applicant countries in order to enable the applicant states to reach European standards in the fight against international crime; points out that international crime may take advantage of the fact that the applicant countries lack suitable legislation and stable structures;

21.   Underlines the common EU responsibility (technical and financial assistance) for strict external border controls in order to combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings, particularly women and children, so that the Member States stop operating as markets for such services; therefore urges the applicant countries to strengthen the quality of border police forces; calls specifically on Lithuania, Poland and Russia to improve coordination with regard to Kaliningrad;

22.   Expresses its concern that the emergence of private security services may constitute a threat, especially in countries in which there are as yet no firmly established legal system, no constitutional practices and no understanding of the law;

The fight against corruption

23.   Emphasises that corruption endangers the satisfactory functioning of the police and judiciary and undermines public confidence and therefore urges applicant countries which have not yet ratified the Council of Europe and OECD Conventions relating to the fight against corruption to do so and to take all the necessary steps to implement those Conventions as soon as possible;

24.   Stresses that that the transparency of society (including the freedom of the media), the independence of the judiciary and better pay for police officers and judges are essential elements of the fight against corruption;

25.   Underlines the importance of initiatives such as the Southeast European Legal Development Initiative (SELDI), by the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) in Bulgaria and the International Development Law Institute (IDLI) in Rome in its contribution to legal developments in the region in terms of fostering good governance and strengthening of the judiciary and fighting corruption; asks the Commission to support such initiatives;

Data protection

26.   Stresses that full confidence in each other’s data protection standards is a precondition for the establishment of truly effective bilateral cooperation with EUROPOL and the police and judicial authorities of the Member States, and therefore urges applicant countries that have not done so to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention for Data protection of individuals against unauthorised use of their personal data (1981) and to implement Directive 95/46/CE of 24 October 1995 on data protection;

27.   Welcomes the progress being made in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia in the area of data protection; notes the difficulties which some of the applicant countries face in implementing the necessary measures in this field; therefore asks the Commission, the Council and the Member States to provide additional support to the applicant countries in implementing rules on data protection.

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, EXTERNAL TRADE,
RESEARCH AND ENERGY

20 June 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the applications from Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Turkey and Malta to join the European Union (COM(2000) 701-713 – C5-0601-613/2000 – 1997/2171-2181(COC), 1999/2029(COS) and 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Norbert Glante

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy appointed Norbert Glante draftsman at its meeting of 21 March 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 28 May and 20 June 2001.

At the latter meeting it adopted the following conclusions by 42 votes to 5, with 1 abstention.

The following took part in the vote: Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, chairman; Renato Brunetta and Peter Michael Mombaur, vice-chairmen; Norbert Glante, draftsman; Konstantinos Alyssandrakis, Ward Beysen (for Astrid Thors), Guido Bodrato, Massimo Carraro, Gérard Caudron, Giles Bryan Chichester, Nicholas Clegg, Dorette Corbey (for Harlem Désir), Willy C.E.H. De Clercq, Carlo Fatuzzo (for Umberto Scapagnini), Francesco Fiori (for Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca), Christos Folias, Neena Gill (for Glyn Ford), Lisbeth Grönfeldt Bergman (for Marjo Matikainen-Kallström), Michel Hansenne, Hans Karlsson, Bashir Khanbhai (for Konrad K. Schwaiger), Helmut Kuhne (for Rolf Linkohr), Werner Langen, Caroline Lucas, Eryl Margaret McNally, Nelly Maes, Erika Mann, Elizabeth Montfort, Angelika Niebler, Giuseppe Nisticò (for Roger Helmer), Reino Paasilinna, Yves Piétrasanta, Elly Plooij-van Gorsel, John Purvis, Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Bernhard Rapkay (for François Zimeray), Imelda Mary Read, Mechtild Rothe, Christian Foldberg Rovsing, Paul Rübig, Gilles Savary (for Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco), Ilka Schröder, Esko Olavi Seppänen, Helle Thorning-Schmidt (for Myrsini Zorba), Claude Turmes (for Nuala Ahern), W.G. van Velzen, Anders Wijkman, Olga Zrihen Zaari.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This opinion does not wish to repeat the points made in the Commission's progress reports or last year’s ITRE Committee report. We have therefore established a number of focal points which seem pertinent in view of the present state of the accession negotiations and the remit of our committee.

General

The enlarged European single market will be the largest single market in the world. With 13 new Member States the population of the European Union will rise by 31 %. Enlargement offers Europe’s entire economy the opportunity to consolidate its international competitive position and to develop it in the long-term.

In the industrial sector (conventional industries, telecommunications and SMEs) the applicant countries have made remarkable progress as far as legislation is concerned and developed very sound strategies. But no matter how good they are, legislation and strategies are not enough by themselves: they need to be implemented. For a variety of reasons (state budgets, inefficient administration and courts, poor coordination etc.) implementation remains a major problem for many applicant countries in many areas. Of course, transitional periods are possible prior to full membership, but only if they do not constitute an obstacle for the operation of the single market and if they are really necessary. The number and duration of these transitional periods should be limited. These rules about transitional periods apply not only to the demands of the applicant countries, but also to those of Member States. If the EU is to achieve economic union, cross-border cooperation between industries and enterprises must be a focal point of EU aid policy.

Industry

The two principal economic criteria for EU accession were established at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in 1993: namely, a functioning market economy and the ability to withstand the pressure of competition. Many of the applicant countries already have a functioning market economy. However, the next step is to make this market economy competitive! Moreover, competition facilitates the transition to higher value and more technology-intensive production. Before the applicant countries can withstand the full pressure of competition, they need to face a number of major challenges: the adoption and implementation of the EU rules of competition, environmental standards and the social policy acquis. The adoption of the latter plays a very important role as far as economic competition is concerned: this could prevent at least some of the distortions of competition between Member States and applicant countries in the labour and services market caused by differences in social policies.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important factor in the economic development of the applicant countries. In some specific cases it is still being hampered (the absence of full liberalisation or of a stable legislative framework), but in general this area is a priority for the applicant countries. Investments offer them the opportunity to rehabilitate their economies both financially and structurally - new technologies and know-how are also imported. In order to attract more investors and boost the competitiveness of industry, the applicant countries must develop their infrastructures, notably motorways and roads, and modernise of railways and communications. Legislation to facilitate the acquisition of technologically-advanced industries is also necessary in order to attract foreign investors.

For the further development of the economy in the applicant countries there are two very important instruments: BEST and PECA.

-   BEST stands for Business Environment Simplification Task Force. This concept was originally developed in 1997 for the Member States. It offers two principal advantages: a very practical assessment of the economic situation and an improvement of coordination between the economic players. The results were so good for the Member States that the Commission decided to assess the economic position of the applicant countries in the same way. The use of BEST could promote benchmarking between the applicant countries. They could learn from each other and thus meet the EU’s requirements more rapidly.

-   PECA stands for ‘Protocols to the Europe Agreement on Conformity Assessment’. PECAs are a very important instrument for rewarding progress made by the applicant countries in the free transport of goods. They allow these applicant countries to enjoy the advantages of the single market before accession for certain products, without requiring any further assessment of certification procedures.

The steel industry is a critical sector of industry. The steel industry of the applicant countries must be radically and swiftly restructured. The deadlines set in the respective association agreements for the development of a practical restructuring strategy have long expired. Acceptable restructuring plans which are in line with Protocol 2 of the Europe Agreement and the rules on aid and transitional periods set out therein must be adopted as rapidly as possible:

1.   Condition for state aid: it must ensure the survival of the industries and be no higher than necessary for survival. Only on this condition can fair competition within the future European Union be secured.

2.   Condition for the long-term survival of the steel industry in the applicant countries: restructuring, rationalisation and a general reduction of capacity must accompany the aid. Only on this condition will the steel industry of Central and Eastern Europe become competitive.

Telecommunications

This is a particularly important sector, since enlargement coincides with the advent of the Information Society. The Information Society opens up a new market in which SMEs from the applicant countries could become immediately competitive. Almost all applicant countries are on course for full liberalisation. It often happens that a regulatory authority has already been set up or decided on in principle, but its independence has yet to be secured. Substantial amounts of work still need to be done on infrastructure, services and adjustments to European standards.

Energy

In the energy sector there are substantial differences in the state of development of the applicant countries. The problems facing the energy sector cannot be solved quickly. It is therefore very important that the applicant countries should develop a national strategy with a practical timetable as rapidly as possible and set aside appropriations for this purpose. We believe that trading of emission certificates is an effective means of meeting the enormous investment requirements. Certain key areas of the accession negotiations are very topical issues in the EU at present. We are fully aware how many problems some Member States still have with the liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets. The promotion of renewable sources of energy has triggered a broad debate, since it must be compatible with European competition law. The discussion about security of supply following the dramatic increase in oil prices and the question of restricting CO₂ emissions are very topical in our countries as well. It is important that the applicant countries should not only adopt the acquis, but also prepare for further developments in this sphere. Their participation in the Community programmes SAVE, SYNERGY, ALTENER, etc., must therefore be further promoted. Nuclear energy presents safety problems in three countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. A further problem concerning nuclear energy is the reprocessing and storage of nuclear waste. This problem also affects the Member States. It would therefore be opportune to initiate a joint discussion on the problem of nuclear waste with the applicant countries concerned.

Research

In their present economic situation, the applicant countries have limited budgetary resources available for research. The legislative framework presents no essential problems, but the funds are lacking. Links between industry and research on the one hand and science (universities, higher education institutes) and research on the other must be strengthened. Measures must also be taken to ensure that companies are set up to exploit research findings.

Participation in the sixth FRP should be further promoted. The applicant countries should be involved in preparations for the sixth FRP, so that they can raise points of interest to them. One focal point of the new FRP is the promotion of a research network in Europe. One priority should be to ensure that research centres and projects in the applicant countries do not remain sidelined in this process, but are fully integrated.

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points in its motion for a resolution:

1.   Reiterates its request to receive four reports/studies on areas concerning industry, external trade, research and energy as stated in its resolution of 4 October 2000 under paragraphs 47 to 56, inter alia, the first would concern a ‘progress report’ on the industrial sectors under negotiation; the second, an ‘analysis’ on the Free Trade Agreements already concluded with the applicant countries coupled with a ‘study’ on the potential impact of enlargement on trade creation and trade diversion; the third report should be on the potential of the new technology-related sectors to increase competitiveness, and the fourth study should be on energy-related problems and prospects for the applicant countries;

2.   Encourages the Commission to use the results of the Business Environment Simplification Task Force (BEST process) in order to evaluate the industries and enterprises of the candidate countries; requests the Commission to make these evaluations available to the candidate countries and, following up on these evaluations, encourages the candidate countries to make use of benchmarking as a basis for improving their industrial performance as well as their adjustment to the acquis communautaire; promotes the conclusion of Protocols to the Europe Agreement on Conformity Assessment (PECA) with further candidate countries;

3.   Is persuaded that Foreign Direct Investment will be promoted if only the “right conditions” in candidate countries are ensured by simplifying the legal framework, equal competitive conditions for all businesses and serious measures to combat corruption and create an effective public administration and effective, independent courts, public infrastructure investment in human resources, telecom networks and viable social protection systems;

4.   Notes that obstacles to trade still exist in the candidate countries, particularly at their borders, and that in this connection the training and retraining of customs staff is a first necessary step towards the removal of these obstacles;

5.   Noting the proven capacity of SMEs to create jobs, innovate, contribute substantially to the GDP and improve competition as well as the crucial role they play in strengthening social cohesion and regional development, the Commission is urged to maintain its support for measures in the applicant countries which will favour SMEs including micro-enterprises in the commerce and the craft sectors;

6.   Points out that restructuring programmes for the steel industry in the candidate countries are urgently needed and that the steel industry needs careful treatment, consisting of a short-term policy of State subsidies necessary for its survival and containment of labour lay-offs and a long-term policy geared towards structural adjustment, rationalisation and specialisation in high value added steel products;

7.    Notes that the correct application of European competition law requires that officials of public institutions, as well as lawyers and judges, receive training in this area;

8.   Is of the view that in the field of telecommunications, which is associated with the information society and creation of ‘a common information area’, this sector will act as a pole of growth and as an instrument in enhancing industrial adjustment, hence the independence of the telecommunications authority assumes importance; also requests the Commission to reassess the telecom industry in the context of the recently adopted telecom package, in its first reading, by the European Parliament;

9.   Stresses that the Commission report on transitional rules in the field of freedom of movement for workers also leaves scope for the application of national legislation which is more flexible than the Commission report, and urges the Member States to apply such national legislation in the light of local needs and circumstances.

10.   Repeats its position of 4 October 2000 (points 55 and 56), that the energy sector needs urgent attention as to the security of supply, structural changes in the coal industry, energy efficiency, safety of nuclear energy, believes that the trading of emission certificates might be in some countries an effective solution for the immense investment needs and supports an enhanced participation of candidate countries in EU programmes such as SAVE; SYNERGY, ALTENER, etc.

11.   Given the low level of energy efficiency priority – above all over energy assistance – should be given to this area.

12.   Welcomes the provision of the 6th Research Framework Programme to include the candidate countries as full participants in the new structure of the European Research Area, mainly participating in the network of excellence, integrated projects and increased mobility of researchers.

13.   Calls on the Commission to submit to the committee and to Parliament an assessment of the extent to which the decentralisation of the Phare programme has been a success;

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

25 June 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the applications by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey to accede to the European Union and the current position with regard to the negotiations COM(2000) 701-713 – C5-0601-613/2000 – 1997/2171-2181(COC), 1999/2029(COS) and 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Willi Görlach

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development appointed Willi Görlach draftsman at its meeting of 27 March 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 24 April, 29 May and 19 June 2001.

At the last meeting it adopted the following conclusions by 23 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.

The following were present for the vote: Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf, chairman; Joseph Daul, vice-chairman; Willi Görlach, draftsman; Gordon J. Adam, Danielle Auroi, António Campos, Arlindo Cunha, Christel Fiebiger, Francesco Fiori, Carmen Fraga Estévez (for Xaver Mayer), Georges Garot, Lutz Goepel, María Izquierdo Rojo, Salvador Jové Peres, Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert, Heinz Kindermann, Christa Klaß (for Agnes Schierhuber), Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (for Bernard Poignant), Albert Jan Maat, Jan Mulder (for Giovanni Procacci), James Nicholson (for Robert William Sturdy), Neil Parish, Ioannis Patakis (for Dimitrios Koulourianos), Mikko Pesälä and María Rodríguez Ramos.

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Introduction

At the start of the 21st century the EU faces the task of putting into effect its planned eastwards and south-eastwards enlargement. This calls for considerable efforts by both the EU-15 and the CEEC, Malta, Turkey and Cyprus. All candidate countries are making serious efforts to bring their agricultural sector into line with the Union acquis. What is striking is that some countries have greater successes to show than others, for the simple reason that at the beginning of the accession process, in the agricultural sector, the starting points were different.

How the accession negotiations are currently proceeding

The time frame for negotiations with the Luxembourg and Helsinki Groups overall was examined in the last report on enlargement and agriculture[1]. Negotiations on agriculture with the Helsinki States and with Turkey have yet to be entered into. The Nice European Council reaffirmed its intention to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2002 with the states which have made the most progress, thus expressly confirming the Commission's timetable. Accordingly, most countries are to become members as soon as possible so that they can take part in the 2004 European elections.

In the agricultural sector, too, 'technical meetings' are currently taking place between the six states in the Luxembourg Group and the Commission, as are the actual negotiations with the EU, in which, in addition to the quota and direct payments issues discussed below, the transitional periods sought by the respective applicants for various areas loom large. In your draftsman's view, however, they should apply only in individual cases and only briefly. Parliament will continue to keep a close eye on the negotiations under way and give solid support to future efforts by the candidate states, in the agricultural sector, to make themselves capable of acceding.

Because of continuing shortcomings, your draftsman believes that it is still not desirable to be specific about the date of accession of certain individual applicants. His view is, rather, that new Member States should not accede until they are actually capable of doing so.

Liberalisation of agricultural trade

Independently of the accession negotiations, the EU-15 have managed to ensure, following bilateral negotiations with the CEEC on liberalisation of agricultural trade, that existing barriers to trade with the applicant countries are being removed during the preparatory stage. The agreements came into force proper on 1 July 2000. Depending on the degree of sensitivity of products and the requirements of the common agricultural policy (CAP), three lists of bilateral concessions are addressed in different ways:

• ∙List 1: For sectors such as citrus fruits, olive oil and horsemeat, there will be complete mutual liberalisation of trade with no quantitative restrictions.
• ∙List 2: Under the so-called double-zero approach, provision has been made for the mutual abolition of export refunds and reduction of customs duties as part of import tariff quotas in sectors such as pigmeat, poultry and cheese. Initial tariff quotas are to be in line as far as possible with the present volume of trade, based on the average figures for the last three years.
• ∙List 3: The last group concerns individual sectors in respect of which concessions are made upon request on a case-by-case basis.

On the basis of the current trade statistics (reference period 1996-1998), the Commission expects this to bring about a considerable medium-term increase in the share of duty-free agricultural exports into the EU from the CEEC from 37% to 77%. It is estimated that the average proportion of duty-free agricultural exports from the EU to the CEEC will increase from 20% to 37%. This is welcome.

Administration in the agricultural sector

Implementation of aligned legal provisions, which the applicant countries are tackling with differing degrees of success, above all calls for functioning administrative structures, i.e. the creation of the necessary administrative capacity and control bodies. The way in which the states transpose the acquis communautaire into their national law, and put it into practice, will ultimately be of crucial importance for determining whether or not the candidates are capable of acceding. What needs to be created in this area, inter alia, are appropriate facilities for improving quality policy and product safety. Furthermore, the altered administrative structures in the agricultural sector must also be in a position to produce up-to-date and precise agricultural statistics.

The preparatory aid arrangement SAPARD (Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development), adopted as part of Agenda 2000, is a further important point. In this area, since the last report on enlargement and agriculture, all CEEC have signed the multiannual and annual financing agreements and, as such, have made vital progress. These agreements govern the administration and control of agricultural measures and rural development programmes by the acceding countries. The main factor determining the speed with which SAPARD can actually be put into effect and funding can start to flow will be the speed with which the relevant candidate countries can establish the necessary SAPARD paying agencies in their countries. In this area, even greater efforts must be made.

Budgetary policy implications

In budgetary policy terms, in particular, the fact that new states will join the EU will have considerable implications. The EU already enters large sums in its budget in order to support candidate states at the pre-accession stage. For SAPARD, for instance, over EUR 1 bn has been made available in the 2000 and 2001 budgets; as yet there has been no outflow of funds.

However, it is decidedly difficult to hold a precise discussion about post-accession costs, since, as the process stands at present, it cannot be foreseen which scenarios are most likely to take place. A working document from Parliament's Committee on Budgets on the financial consequences of enlargement[2] makes it clear, for example, that, depending on which accession scenario is applied, the estimated transfers in the agricultural sector from the EU budget to the acceding countries would differ considerably, with possible payments for 2006, as indicated in that document, ranging from EUR 1.9 bn to EUR 7 bn (Luxembourg Group + Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia and Malta).

Your draftsman therefore thinks it more important, at present, to focus discussion on what is actually intended with the planned enlargement. Our objective must be to clearly reassert Parliament's willingness to admit new members. In this connection, the encouraging experience gained with accessions to date is a good pointer.

Veterinary and phytosanitary sectors

In the veterinary and phytosanitary sectors there are still shortcomings, to a greater or less extent, in virtually all candidate countries. In Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, for example, ground still needs to be made up in the area of veterinary inspections, one example being the fitting-out of the laboratories given this task. Positive developments can be reported in this area from the Czech Republic, where contagious animal diseases such as tuberculosis (TBC) and enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) have been successfully combated.

Consequences of restructuring – possible implications of enlargement

In the countries of central and eastern Europe, the transition to the market economy has had a major impact, and this is above all the result of extensive restructuring in agriculture (e.g. partial land privatisation and the breaking-up of large units). Land prices in the candidate countries remain considerably lower than in the EU-15. That is making the candidate countries afraid that foreign investors will have an adverse impact on their land market and buy up land on a grand scale. To prevent this, some candidate countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are calling for long transitional periods for land acquisition. This must be looked at on a case-by-case basis and solutions which can reasonably be accepted by both parties must be found.

Furthermore, many holdings in the candidate countries, after accession, will no longer be competitive and will have to abandon farming. That would lead to the dismissal of a large number of agricultural workers and an increase in unemployment. Even if accession takes place at a reasonable pace, then, the resulting social impact will inevitably have to be cushioned by means of appropriate structural measures such as, for instance, early-retirement schemes. The package on structural assistance for rural areas, adopted by the Council in 1999, would also be suitable for mitigating the potentially adverse social impact in the agricultural sector.

Direct payments and quotas

A heated debate is taking place on the issues of direct payments and quotas in connection with EU enlargement.

As part of the 1992 agricultural reform, direct payments were introduced by way of compensation for the reduction of institutional prices. As is well known, the candidate countries regard direct income transfers as a central component of the CAP. They are therefore claiming the full amount of such payments for their farmers, too, as is made clear by the candidate countries' position papers which have been submitted. The question is, however, whether immediate full-scale introduction of direct payments might not slow down necessary structural change and jeopardise the stability of future EU budgets.

A complete waiver of all direct payments is not practical, however, as that would bring about a risk that supply checks would be abandoned, resulting in new unsaleable investment stock. A gradual introduction at EU-15 level would therefore be an alternative that might accommodate the interests of all concerned. The benefits of what is termed the phasing-in model were examined in the last report on enlargement and agriculture[3].

During accession negotiations, the main issue with regard to quotas and quantity regulations was what the starting point should be. Use must be made of a reference period that largely reflects production reality in recent years.

Account must be taken of two factors in this connection: firstly, the Member States must be offered a fair production framework; secondly, the aim must be to prevent the basis for a quantitative assessment at the pre-accession stage from being distorted by artificial production increases. Lastly, production data from former planned economies were not comparable with market economy data. In the negotiations, the EU is pressing for a reference period in the recent past (between 1995 and 1999) in order to have an appropriate basis for the assessment of quotas and quantity regulations. This approach is welcomed by your draftsman.

Future of rural areas

It can be deduced from the figures in the Commission's last progress report (11/2000) that the regional policy role of the agricultural sector in the candidate countries is at least as important as in the EU-15 states, in particular as agriculture's share of gross domestic product and the percentage of the population employed in agriculture far exceed the EU average in most cases.

For rural areas in the candidate countries in particular, agriculture remains an economic factor of paramount importance. Post-accession, then, agriculture and people in rural areas in those countries must under no circumstances be deprived of economic opportunities. To prevent this, your draftsman's recommendation is, as it was in the last report on enlargement and agriculture[4], that there should be greater concentration of integrated structural assistance measures in the regions concerned and provisions of the EU's rural development assistance regulation should be fully applied in the candidate states.

The fact is that, in the long term, it will be necessary in an enlarged Union to reduce support prices to world market levels in order to minimise incentives for surplus production. Any revenue shortfall in agriculture as a result of this ought to be offset by product-independent payments to farmers. Agenda 2000 made a start on establishing a CAP geared less to price support and more to direct income aids unrelated to production and to a multifunctional rural development and environment and quality policy. Such an expanded policy would also benefit the process of structural adjustment in the acceding countries, since it would help to narrow the price gap. Your draftsman therefore recommends that, at EU-15 level, there should be an overall increase in projected second-pillar funding before new members are admitted.

Your draftsman also suggests that regional production be encouraged and that special support be given to joint ventures between firms from the EU and candidate countries in the rural regions concerned.

Organic farming

The importance of organic farming varies from one candidate country to another. While some 2.6% of agricultural land in the Czech Republic is farmed in accordance with organic standards, the figure is less than 0.5% in the other states. The reason for the high percentage of organic farming in the Czech Republic is that for about 10 years, with a number of interruptions, there has been government assistance for organic holdings. Organic farming is also supported in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, for example. Progress in the area of organic farming in the CEEC needs not only to be expressly acknowledged by the EU-15 but also to be given sustained support.

Even if organic farming in the above-mentioned countries tends to be the result of low productivity and a lack of technical infrastructure facilities downstream from agriculture, in overall terms it should play a greater role both in the current EU-15 and in the prospective EU-28. In terms of sustainable rural development, an agricultural sector in particular that maximises environmental-friendliness as the basis for future generations' existence takes on greater importance.

The ability to accede and institutional reforms

In conclusion, your draftsman would point out that the question as to whether or not countries are capable of accession cannot under any circumstances be viewed in isolation from the issue of necessary institutional reforms within the EU-15. We still find it incomprehensible that, to date, only the consultation procedure applies to decision-taking in the agricultural sector and that, in a policy area which, after all, accounts for about half the EU budget, Parliament is only asked for its opinion. In what is a central policy area, Parliament must be given the right to full codecision pursuant to Article 251 of the EC Treaty before new states join the EU.

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy as the committee responsible to incorporate the following points in its respective motions for resolutions on the Commission reports on progress by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey towards accession:

Estonia:

COM (2000) 704 – C5-0604/2000 – 1997/2177

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Views with concern the fact that land reform in Estonia is only making slow progress and points out in this connection that, between 1992 and September 2000, only 57%[5] of Estonian land was entered in the land registry;

5.   Welcomes the progress made to date in the veterinary area, but stresses that Estonia must make even more progress in adopting and implementing legislation in this area; calls on the Commission, in this connection, to encourage Estonia, and to support it in the process, to bring its animal welfare legislation into line;

6.   Points out that progress still has to be made in establishing the common market organisations for crops, milk and meat and that implementing provisions for the law on rural development and agricultural market regulation must be adopted;

7.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that Estonia will be in a position as soon as possible to establish the SAPARD payment agencies; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Estonia has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Poland:

COM (2000) 709 – C5-0609/2000 – 1997/2174(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Realises that, since the Commission's last progress report, Poland has made progress in the agricultural sector, but that this is nowhere near enough; points out in this connection that virtually no progress has been made on veterinary legislation, with the exception of a number of regulations on inspections to determine animal infections and residues of prohibited biological and chemical substances in meat or tissue from slaughtered animals;

5.   Welcomes the progress made to date in the phytosanitary sector through the laws, put in hand in 2000, on seeds and fertilisers; points out, however, that it is precisely the implementation of Community plant variety law and phytosanitary policy that should be embarked upon as swiftly as possible; welcomes Poland's efforts to support domestic organic farming;

6.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that Poland will be in a position as soon as possible to establish the SAPARD payment agencies; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

7.   Points out that Poland has not yet made sufficient progress to enable it to adopt the Community's quality policy to promote products of specific origin and geographical indication; points out in this connection that, in addition to the legal basis, transposition of such a policy also requires registration of the necessary registration and control bodies;

8.   Notes Poland's fears concerning land acquisition, or land purchases; points out that the 18-year transitional period sought by Poland is very long, since excessively long transitional periods in this area may result in distortions on the common market in land; points in this connection to the need to provide more support for cooperative structures there, so as to enable Poland to participate in the internal market successfully;

9.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Poland has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market;

10.   Calls, wherever possible, for Community legislation to be introduced before accession takes place, so that transitional periods can be shortened, trading contacts promoted further, implementation problems prevented and possible obstacles to rapid accession identified and remedied at an early stage.

Hungary:

COM (2000) 705 – C5-0605/2000 – 1997/2175

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes with satisfaction that the progress made by Hungary to date is an appropriate basis for transposition of the acquis communautaire within agriculture; points out in this connection, however, that, with regard to land reform, the Hungarian Parliament has still not yet deliberated on the laws on land consolidation and the national land fund;

5.   Is keeping a close watching brief as to whether, following adoption of the State Programme on Agriculture and the Environment, the Hungarian Government will establish a suitable administrative structure in the area of rural development and forests; welcomes the national agri-environmental protection programme planned by Hungary for 2001, under which organic farming is to be given preferential assistance;

6.   Draws attention to the fact that yet more changes are needed in the veterinary sector; calls in this connection for further changes concerning veterinary inspections; draws attention to the fact that, in this area, Hungary has yet to develop provisions on compensatory measures for farmers affected by outbreaks of diseases;

7.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that Hungary will be in a position as soon as possible to establish the SAPARD payment agencies; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Poland has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Czech Republic:

COM (2000) 703 – C5-0603/2000 – 1997/2180(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Welcomes the fact that, in the agricultural sector, the process of bringing legislation into line with the acquis communautaire in the Czech Republic is making good progress; notes in this connection that, for instance, the acquis in the veterinary and phytosanitary areas and in the milk, starch and sugar beet sectors has already been incorporated into Czech legislation;

5.   Points out that, in the area of animal welfare, changes concerning provisions on the keeping of laying hens are still needed;

6.   Regards the signing of the financing agreement as a vital step towards preparing for SAPARD and hopes that the Czech Republic will be in a position as soon as possible to establish the SAPARD payment agencies; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

7.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, the Czech Republic has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Cyprus:

COM (2000) 702 – C5-0602/2000 – 1997/2171(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes that progress has been made in preparing Cypriot agriculture for the common agricultural policy, but draws attention to the fact that major components of the agriculture acquis have still not been taken over, in particular as regards the abolition of government monopolies; also recommends that Cyprus establish the requisite administrative and procedural structures;

5.   Points out that, in the area of quality policy, legislation on quality labels still has to be adopted; points out that the international agreements on geographical indications and designations of origin have still not been signed by the Cypriot Government; also draws attention to the fact that the acquis for organic farming has not yet been incorporated;

6.   Notes that Cyprus already has a measure of experience in the area of rural development and forestry, including environmental protection measures within agriculture, though the necessary control organisations for the environmental protection programme have still to be set up;

7.   Points out that the veterinary and phytosanitary acquis has to date only been transposed in part; urgently recommends that, in this connection, Cyprus bring its veterinary and phytosanitary provisions further into line with the acquis; recommends that emergency plans for foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever be implemented in the veterinary sector; calls, with regard to animal and plant health, on the Cypriot Government to equip border control stations better.

Slovenia:

COM (2000) 712 – C5-0612/2000 – 1997/2181

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes with satisfaction that Slovenia has made perceptible progress towards complete transposition of the acquis communautaire, in particular by adopting the law on agriculture in June 2000; points out, however, that efforts to modernise border control stations are still necessary;

5.   Draws attention to the fact that the structures of holdings in the agricultural sector are still unfavourable, since 90% of agricultural land continues to be farmed by small private holdings, which accounts for the average farm size of only 4.8 ha; points in this connection to the need to provide more support for cooperative structures there, so as to enable Slovenia to participate in the internal market successfully;

6.   Views with concern the fact that, in the veterinary and phytosanitary sector, progress has still not been made in setting up and modernising control stations on the border with Croatia and draws attention to the fact that it is the EU’s external borders which are of crucial importance for the internal market’s control system;

7.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that Slovenia will be in a position as soon as possible to set up the relevant payment agencies; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein, which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Slovenia has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Romania:

COM (2000) 0710 – C5-0610/2000 – 1997/2172(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Draws attention to the fact that Romania continues to have fundamental problems in laying down and implementing measures needed for the modernisation and sound development of the agricultural sector; notes in this connection, with concern, that, since the European Commission’s penultimate progress report, Romania has made little progress in assisting rural areas;

5.   Very much welcomes, however, the signing of the financing agreements in connection with SAPARD and hopes that Romania can establish the payment agencies on a decentralised basis as soon as possible; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

6.   Welcomes the fact that some progress has been made in the veterinary sector, e.g. provisions have been adopted for the notification of certain communicable animal diseases and veterinary standards for the licensing of holdings;

7.   Welcomes the organic farming legislation adopted since 2000, which extends to production, imports and exports, environmental protection, and the certification, control and labelling of organic farming products; notes that, to a large extent, Romanian law in this area is now in line with Community law;

8.   Draws attention to the fact that, with regard to guarding and controlling the EU’s external borders, Romania still needs to make major efforts concerning border control posts in particular;

9.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein, which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Romania has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Bulgaria:

COM (2000) 701 – C5-0601/2000 – 1997/2179(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes that progress has been made overall in Bulgaria with regard to bringing legislation into line with the acquis communautaire, in particular as regards the process of returning land, which is virtually complete, and adoption of the land registry law; draws attention to the fact that there is still no functioning land market and banks still do not accept land as collateral;

5.   Welcomes the progress concerning animal and plant health, but recommends in this connection that Bulgaria better equip veterinary and phytosanitary laboratories and better train the staff employed there;

6.   Draws attention to the fact that the ten-year transitional period envisaged by Bulgaria in the area of land acquisition, or land purchase, is very long and that excessively long transitional periods in this area may lead to imbalances on the Community land market;

7.   Notes with satisfaction the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and is pleased that the payment agency has been accredited, thus enabling the funding to be actually used; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein, which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Bulgaria has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Slovakia:

COM (2000) 711 – C5-0611/2000 – 1997/2173

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Stresses that, since Parliament’s last strategy paper on enlargement, no particular progress can be reported on quality policy and Slovakia’s preparations for setting up an integrated information network for farm accounts have not progressed;

5.   Welcomes the incorporation of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation, which has reached a very advanced stage, though also notes that there are still shortcomings with regard to transposition of that legislation; highlights as a positive feature, however, the fact that Slovakian legislation on organic farming is modelled on EU rules;

6.   Recommends that Slovakia continue to endeavour to implement environmental protection measures in the area of rural development and forestry;

7.   Acknowledges Slovakian efforts in the agricultural sector to implement SAPARD and sign the financing agreements, and hopes that the payment agencies can be established as soon as possible; recommends, in addition, that Slovakia improve overall administrative efficiency; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein, which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Slovakia has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Malta:

COM (2000) 708 – C5-0608/2000 – 1999/2029(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes with concern that Malta has made little progress in establishing administrative structures that would be necessary for implementation of the common agricultural policy;

5.   Draws attention to the fact that, in the phytosanitary area, the relevant provisions of the acquis still have to be incorporated and points out that the ability to deal with new phytosanitary aspects still has to be developed; welcomes the fact, however, that a plant health monitoring programme has been submitted and a number of testing standards brought into line with EU requirements; points out that arrangements for the disposal of waste material from slaughtered animals are not yet in line with the acquis communautaire;

6.   Points out that, within quality policy, quality designations for the various agricultural products still have to be developed which are compatible with the Community’s.

Turkey:

COM (2000) 713 – C5-0613/2000 – 2000/2014(COS)

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Notes that Turkey’s agricultural policy is substantially different from the CAP and that the comparatively low productivity of holdings, which are on average very small (approx. 6 ha), as a result of inadequate marketing opportunities and inefficient price formation on the Turkish market, raises problems; notes therefore that a production increase is currently the main concern of Turkish agricultural policy;

5.   Draws attention to the fact that basic mechanisms are needed to create appropriate administrative structures and that, for instance, the merging, a process now started, of a host of institutions dealing with agricultural policy could point in the right direction;

6.   Recommends that Turkey formulate a clear strategy for incorporating the veterinary acquis, in respect of which, for instance, laboratories need to be equipped to be able to detect diseases more effectively.

Latvia:

COM (2000) 706 – C5-0606/2000 – 1997/2176

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Welcomes the fact that there has been an animal welfare law since December 1999; stresses, however, that much still needs to be done in the phytosanitary sector since, for instance, the Latvian lists of pollutants and quarantine requirements depart from the EU’s;

5.   Points out that, as regards the introduction of the integrated administration and control system (IACS), there are a still a number of shortcomings with regard to the condition of existing databases and data networks;

6.   Notes that a start has already been made on preparations for appropriate monitoring of organic farming, though the legislation still has to be amended and the requisite certification and control bodies still have to be brought into line with Community requirements;

7.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that the SAPARD payment agencies will soon be established; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Latvia has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

Lithuania:

COM (2000) 701 – C5-0607/2000 – 1997/2178

1.   Notes that direct payments to agricultural producers are playing an important and controversial role in the accession negotiations; stresses the need to bring direct payments within the sphere of the 'second pillar' of the CAP by compulsorily tying premiums to social and ecological criteria (cross-compliance and modulation) in order to make them less controversial and guarantee that direct payments in an enlarged Union will be uniformly determined;

2.   Encourages the negotiating partners to conclude technical agreements for each area, with transitional periods to be avoided as far as possible;

3.   Notes that agricultural production in line with European food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality standards is not possible, in every instance, when accession takes place; notes that pre-accession aid must also be targeted on improving that situation; realises that, for a period following accession, internal trade may be restricted by these European demands;

4.   Welcomes the fact that, in the phytosanitary area, the most important legislation has already been incorporated, but points out that Lithuania must make even greater efforts to bring its import control legislation into line in particular;

5.   Stresses that in the veterinary sector, too, the most important legislative provisions of the acquis communautaire have been incorporated into Lithuanian law; points out, however, that restructuring in this area (establishment of food supervisory agencies) must be completed; recommends, in addition, that the further training programmes already started for staff working in this area be continued;

6.   Notes, with regard to land reform, that the process of returning land has virtually been completed;

7.   Welcomes the signing of the financing agreements by way of preparation for SAPARD and hopes that the SAPARD payment agencies will soon be established; stresses the importance of integrated rural development for the enlargement process; notes with concern, however, with regard to possible assistance measures, the rural population's lack of information and growing dissatisfaction; calls on the Commission to ensure under the SAPARD programme, and other pre-accession aid arrangements, that there is a profound improvement in the information provided to the rural population on rural development plans and in its involvement in them;

8.   Welcomes the conclusion of the agreements on the further liberalisation of agricultural trade and the double-zero approach contained therein which provides for the mutual abolition of export refunds and the reduction of customs duties in connection with import tariff quotas; points out that, as a result, Lithuania has made perceptible progress on preparing for a common internal market.

• [1] PE 232.571.
• [2] PE 300.045.
• [3] PE 232.571.
• [4] PE 232.571.
• [5] The main source for the statistics given is the Commission's last progress report (11/2000).

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE, YOUTH, EDUCATION, THE MEDIA AND SPORT

27 June 2001

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy

on the applications by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey to accede to the European Union and the current position with regard to the negotiations (COM(2000) 701-713 – C5-0601-613/2000 – 1997/2171-2181(COC), 1999/2029(COS) and 2000/2014(COS))

Draftsman: Ole Andreasen

PROCEDURE

The Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport appointed Ole Andreasen draftsman at its meeting of 10 April 2001.

It considered the draft opinion at its meetings of 29 May and 26 June 2001.

At the latter meeting it adopted the following conclusions unanimously.

The following were present for the vote: Giuseppe Gargani, chairman; Vasco Graça Moura, Ulpu Iivari and Giorgio Ruffolo, vice-chairman; Ole Andreasen, draftsman; Pedro Aparicio Sánchez, Christine de Veyrac, Raina A. Mercedes Echerer (for Eurig Wyn), Robert J.E. Evans (for Phillip Whitehead), Ruth Hieronymi, Pietro-Paolo Mennea, Barbara O'Toole, Doris Pack, Christa Prets, Martine Roure, Guido Sacconi (for Valter Veltroni, pursuant to Rule 53(2)), Marieke Sanders-ten Holte, The Earl of Stockton (for Roy Perry), Kathleen Van Brempt, Luckas Vander Taelen, Sabine Zissener and Myrsini Zorba (for Lissy Gröner).

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

A.   Information and communication

All the candidate countries are making an effort to inform their people of the European Union’s activities and of the consequences which future membership of the European Union will have.

The efforts being made in the information and communication field in the various candidate countries vary considerably and there is clearly no cooperation between the candidate countries on what is after all their common task to inform their citizens about the European Union.

Owing to the candidate countries’ differing levels of economic and political development there are great differences in the countries’ information and communication policies and thus also in the level of information about the European Union among the population at large. Accordingly there is also a wide variety in the level of public support in the candidate countries for membership of the European Union.

Opinion polls show a general trend, with support for European Union membership greatest in the southern applicant states, led by Cyprus at the top with 95% support, and lowest in the northern countries, with Estonia at the bottom with only 28% in favour of membership.

In a number of candidate countries there is to be a referendum on accession to the European Union, and this is an extra incentive to improve information and communication policy both on the part of the candidate countries and by the European Union itself.

The level of information in the present Member States about the applicant countries and their accession to the European Union is relatively low. Similarly there is in many Member States relatively little support for the European Union’s enlargement to include the countries of Eastern and Central Europe.

B.   Training and youth

All the candidate countries currently involved in accession negotiations with the EU have signed up to Chapter 18 on education, training and youth.

Estonia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Poland, Malta and Slovenia are participating in the Socrates, Leonardo and Youth programmes.

Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania participate in the Socrates and Leonardo programmes and are preparing to participate in the Youth programme.

Lithuania is participating in the Socrates and Leonardo programmes.

C.   Culture and the audiovisual media

All candidate countries currently involved in accession negotiations with the EU, except for Romania and Hungary, have signed up to Chapter 20 on Culture and audiovisual policy.

The Commission has prepared proposals for decisions on participation by Central and Eastern European candidate countries in the Culture 2000 programme. The European Parliament has approved these, but the Council has not.

The Commission has not yet prepared proposals for decisions on the participation by Central and Eastern European countries in the Media Plus programme, so that the European Parliament and the Council have not yet had a chance to give their approval.

D.   Minorities

In most candidate countries there are still unresolved issues with a view to providing guarantees for cultural and linguistic ethnic minorities, but work is going on in these countries to improve the situation. The problems are very varied and so are the initiatives being taken to deal with these problems. Consequently the results of the various efforts are also very varied. The minority issues are likely to be greatest in Romania and least significant in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The treatment of the Roma question remains an unsolved issue in most of the candidate countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following points in its motion for a resolution:

1.   Stresses at the outset that the necessary comparable and reliable information is not yet available to permit a really serious assessment of the situation in the candidate countries in the areas of responsibility of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport, and that the information which is available can be contradictory;

Poland

2.   Welcomes the fact that Poland has carried out a wide-ranging and fruitful campaign to inform its people about the European Union; notes that the effort made by the European Union to provide information to Poland has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

3.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

4.   Notes that in March 2000 an amendment Act on Radio and Television broadcasting was adopted, which is a significant step forward towards aligning Poland's legislation in the audiovisual sector with the Community acquis, but still does not completely comply with the acquis so that further efforts will have to be made;

5.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Poland’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

6.   Notes that popular support for membership of the European Union has been declining in recent years, which is partly the result of dilatoriness in the European Union's own ranks; calls for accession negotiations to be speeded up in order to avoid damage to the continued development of the European project;

Czech Republic

7.   Welcomes the fact that the Czech Republic adopted a new TV and radio law in 2001 which means that the country now meets the conditions of the “TV without frontiers” directive;

8.   Notes that the European Union’s information campaign for the Czech Republic has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

9.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

10.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to the Czech Republic’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

11.   Notes that in the area of general and vocational training good progress has been made, but that further alignment of legal provisions is necessary;

12.   Notes that significant efforts have been made regarding the situation of the Roma Community, notably with regard to the education system, but that further progress is required;

13.   Notes that popular support for membership of the European Union has been declining in recent years, which is partly the result of dilatoriness in the European Union's own ranks; calls for accession negotiations to be speeded up in order to avoid damage to the continued development of the European project;

Hungary

14.   Welcomes Hungary’s exceptionally sensible and successful policy of information and communication on the European Union; notes that the European Union's information campaign for Hungary has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

15.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

16.   Notes that there has been a failure to meet the short-term priority of the Accession Partnership to take over the Community acquis in the audiovisual sector; therefore Hungary should urgently increase its efforts in this area, a first step being the adoption of the law on media by the Hungarian Parliament;

17.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Hungary’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

18.   Notes that in the field of education and training there has been good progress; a law on adult education has been adopted which creates a framework for life-long learning, vocational training has been aligned to European Union aims and practice, and the Community acquis (Directive on Education and Training of children of migrant workers) has been adopted to a large extent;

Slovakia

19.   Notes that the European Union's information campaign for Slovakia has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

20.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

21.   Notes that, with the adoption of the law on Radio and Television broadcasting, Slovakia has made significant progress in the audiovisual sector, and that legislation is largely in line with the directive on Television without frontiers;

22.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions on the participation of Slovakia in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

23.   Notes that although Slovakia has made progress concerning the situation of minorities, the short-term priority of the 1999 Accession Partnership to achieve an improvement of the situation of the Roma minority has not been met; therefore increased efforts concerning the implementation of legislation, policies and budgetary appropriations are required;

Estonia

24.   Welcomes the establishment of the European Training Area, which will result in greater cooperation between the Baltic training institutions. Not least this will mean greater mobility for students between the Baltic states;

25.   Notes that the European Union’s information campaign for Estonia has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

26.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

27.   Notes that there has been substantial progress concerning the audiovisual sector so that its legislation is largely in line with the Community acquis; only the administrative capacities still need to be strengthened in order to guarantee the effective implementation of this legislation;

28.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Estonia’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

29.   Notes that, concerning ethnic minorities, Estonia has met most of the short-term priorities of the Accession Partnership, including amendments on the language law and the adoption of the State Integration Programme for non-Estonians; nevertheless further efforts have to be made, especially concerning the administrative capacities for an effective implementation of existing legislation;

30.   Notes that popular support for membership of the European Union has been declining in recent years, which is partly the result of dilatoriness in the European Union's own ranks; calls for accession negotiations to be speeded up in order to avoid damage to the continued development of the European project;

Latvia

31.   Notes that 43% of the population do not speak Latvian as their mother tongue; therefore welcomes the fact that Latvia has adopted a new training law, leading to a considerable increase in the number of intensive Latvian language courses for non-native speakers;

32.   Notes that the European Union's information campaign for Latvia has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

33.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

34.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Latvia’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

35.   Notes that popular support for membership of the European Union has been declining in recent years, which is partly the result of dilatoriness in the European Union's own ranks; calls for accession negotiations to be speeded up in order to avoid damage to the continued development of the European project;

Lithuania

36.   Welcomes the high level of activity by Lithuania in the European training programmes Socrates and Leonardo. Notes that this level is not as high as it could be since information on the programmes is inadequate, and that the application form for participation in these programmes is very generally worded and hard to understand;

37.   Welcomes the fact that special legislation was adopted in 2000 with regard to the integration of the Roma people in Lithuania;

38.   Notes that the European Union's information campaign for Lithuania has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

39.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

40.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Lithuania’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

41.   Notes that popular support for membership of the European Union has been declining in recent years, which is partly the result of dilatoriness in the European Union's own ranks; calls for accession negotiations to be speeded up in order to avoid damage to the continued development of the European project;

Cyprus

42.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Cyprus’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

Slovenia

43.   Acknowledges the considerable progress that has been made in Slovenia towards meeting the training requirements for membership;

44.   Welcomes the adoption of a law giving European Union citizens wishing to study in Slovenia the same rights as the country’s own citizens;

45.   Notes that the European Union's information campaign for Slovenia has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to undertake information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

46.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

47.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Slovenia’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

Romania

48.   Regrets that the level of information from the government to the people, and from the public administration to citizens, about social issues in general is inadequate; notes that the European Union's information campaign for Romania has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

49.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

50.   Regrets that Romania still has not solved the ‘visa problem’ which prevents Romanian students from coming to study in other European countries. The European Parliament recalls the inestimable value of student exchanges for European integration and understanding between peoples;

51.   Notes that, while Romania has taken several positive initiatives in order to guarantee the linguistic and cultural identity of several national minorities, there has not been any relevant progress concerning the situation of the Roma, who are still widely discriminated against in all areas of Romanian society;

52.   Notes that there has not been much progress concerning the alignment of legislation with the Community acquis in the audiovisual sector, which was a short-term priority of the Accession partnership;

53.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Romania’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

Bulgaria

54.   Welcomes the fact that Bulgaria’s visa problems have been solved, which means that Bulgarian students now have better opportunities to participate in the EU’s training programmes;

55.   Is pleased to note that legislative improvements have taken place with regard to the situation of minorities, particularly the Roma, even though significant problems still remain; recalls the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Articles 21 and 22, under which any discrimination based on (inter alia) membership of a national minority is prohibited, and that the European Union must respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity;

56.   Notes that the European Union’s information campaign for Bulgaria has been inadequate, and calls for significant improvements in this respect; calls on the institutions of the European Union to launch information campaigns on the implications of enlargement;

57.   Wants more cooperation, exchange of information and best practices between the applicant countries in the field of information and communication policy towards the citizens;

58.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Bulgaria’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

Malta

59.   Welcomes the fact that Malta has made great progress in the field of training policy. In particular it is positive that Malta has entered into agreements with the European Union with the result that Malta is now participating in the European Union’s education, training and youth programmes;

60.   Regrets, however, that there has yet been no progress on the matter of the children of migrant workers from the European Union, since discrimination still takes place;

61.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Malta’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;

Turkey

62.   Notes that there has been no improvement regarding the cultural rights of all Turks, regardless of their ethnic background; in particular the Kurdish population is still refused the right to learn their mother tongue, to be taught their mother tongue at school and to broadcast programmes in their mother tongue;

63.   Notes that it is urgent that Turkey should improves this situation and, specifically should allow school teaching to be carried out in other languages than Turkish, and should change law N° 3984, that requires radio and television programmes to be broadcast in Turkish, so that the broadcasting of programmes in Kurdish will become possible;

64.   Welcomes the great changes which have taken place in the audiovisual sector. Turkey has adopted legislation which means that there is now a multilateral and competitive market for private TV stations. Regrets, however, that the national Radio and TV Committee still has the power to refuse licenses for digital air transmissions;

65.   Earnestly hopes that the Council will soon approve the proposals for decisions with a view to Turkey’s participation in the Culture 2000 and Media + programmes; recalls that the establishment of a ‘European Cultural Area’ centred on respect for and encouragement of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common shared heritage will contribute to the process of integration;