Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-14

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Friday, 14 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Gunter Verheugen: Cyprus' accession negotiations proceeded satisfactorily
• [02] Enlargement well on track - 10 candidates aim to complete negotiations in 2002
• [03] United Kingdom: There is no legal obstacle for Cyprus' accession to the EU
• [04] Greek Prime Minister's reference to Cyprus
• [05] Greek Foreign Minister's reference to Cyprus
• [06] "Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms"
• [07] US Secretary of State welcomes new initiative
• [08] Prodi expresses the hope that Cyprus will soon take its deserved place in the EU

[01] Gunter Verheugen: Cyprus' accession negotiations proceeded satisfactorily

With regard to the economic criteria, the EU Commisioner stated that Cyprus and Malta are the only candidate states with viable market economies which can deal successfully with market competition within the EU.

Mr Verheugen, in his address, referring to Cyprus stated the following:

"Accession negotiations with Cyprus have proceeded very satisfactorily and substantial progress has been achieved. Our strategic aim is to welcome, as a new member, a united Cyprus. This requires creative and substantial progress in the search of continuous peace. I repeat my appeal towards all parties involved to make use of the window of opportunity which has been offered in order to achieve this aim".

It is noted that in the progress report on Cyprus of the European Commission and in the conclusions of the strategy paper concerning the candidate states, a special reference was made concerning the European Council's Helsinki decision in which it was stated that the solution to the Cyprus problem would not constitute a precondition for the island's accession to the EU.

In the strategy paper Mr Denktash's decision to abandon the proximity talks and his refusal to accept the UN Secretary General's invitation for talks was noted. The strategy paper also called on Turkey to contribute in concrete ways to the UN efforts for the solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] Enlargement well on track - 10 candidates aim to complete negotiations in 2002

The negotiations will proceed in line with the 'road map' and the timetable endorsed by the European Council, which foresee conclusion of the negotiations with the best prepared countries by the end of 2002. The EU will not create new conditions for accession. This means that on all forthcoming issues, in particular those with important financial implications like agriculture, regional policy and budget, due to be addressed in the first half of 2002, the Commission will make negotiation proposals based on the existing 'acquis' and budgetary framework. The Commission considers the latter as sufficient to accommodate up to ten new Member States. Negotiations can therefore be concluded independently of decisions for financing the EU after 2006, and of other reforms in agriculture, regional policy or the future of Europe. Given the present pace of negotiations, the Commission should be able to make recommendations before the end of 2002 on those candidate countries ready for accession. The strategic importance of enlargement is already visible : the prospects of EU membership have already contributed decisively to political stability, economic progress in the candidate countries. After the terrorist attacks of 11 September, a strong and united Europe is more important than ever before to ensure peace, security, freedom and prosperity for all its citizens. 'Road map' and negotiating principles remain unchanged

At its meeting in Gothenburg on 14 June 2001, the European Council set the objectives that those candidate countries which are ready should participate as EU Members in the European Parliament elections of 2004, and should be able to conclude the accession negotiations by the end of 2002. For this to be possible, the momentum gained must be maintained. The 'roadmap' for the negotiations proposed last year by the Commission and endorsed by the European Council in Nice in December 2000 must continue to be duly implemented, in accordance with the two basic negotiating principles : "own merits" - i.e the efforts and achievements of the candidate countries to meet the accession criteria - and "catching-up", i.e the possibility for those who started negotiations later to catch-up with the other candidates. The remaining issues ahead

According to the roadmap, the Union will need to define during the first semester of 2002 common positions on a last group of chapters : agriculture, regional policy, financial and budgetary provisions, institutions and 'other'.

The chapters on agriculture and regional policy have important budgetary components and are related to the chapter on 'financial and budgetary provisions'. The Commission intends to propose to the Council of Ministers negotiating positions on these three chapters on the basis of the existing acquis, and within the budgetary framework laid down in 1999 by the European Council in Berlin, when it adopted the 'Financial perspectives' for the period 2000-2006. This framework provides a sufficient basis for the accession of up to ten new Member States in 2004. The accession negotiations can thus be concluded independently of decisions for financing the EU after 2006.The Commission will ensure that the Council can debate these issues in a common framework in early 2002. An action plan for reinforcing administrative and judicial capacity in the candidate countries One key to meeting the objectives set at Gothenburg, is that the candidate countries ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of the 'acquis communautaire' - i.e. the whole set of existing EU rules, standards and legislation. This requires in particular further efforts to strengthen administrative structures and to reform judicial systems in these countries. To this end, the Commission proposes an "action plan" aiming to help candidate countries to further build their administrative capacity. This action plan will use established mechanisms (expert assistance, networking, training, investment plans) and mobilise a special financial EU assistance from the PHARE programme of up to ?250 million in 2002. In addition to the ?750 million already foreseen, the total effort of the EU to strengthen the administrative and judicial capacity of the candidate countries would thus amount to ? 1 billion in 2002. If needed, this effort could be repeated in 2003, for instance to assist for additional training.

The Commission will also further monitor the state of preparation of each candidate country. The next 'Regular Reports' in 2002 will then examine whether the candidate countries will have, by accession, adequate capacity to implement and enforce the acquis properly. Towards the first accessions

Given the present pace of negotiations and the progress made so far, the Commission should be able to make recommendations on which candidate countries are ready for accession on the basis of its 2002 Regular Reports. Among the twelve negotiating countries, ten have target dates for accession compatible with the Gothenburg timeframe.

For those negotiating countries that will not be able to conclude negotiations in 2002, it is proposed that, in its 2002 Enlargement Strategy Paper, the Commission set out an updated Road Map, and, if need be, a revised pre-accession strategy for these countries. Opening all remaining chapters for negotiations should be possible in the course of 2002. Towards a new phase for Turkey's pre-accession strategy

As for Turkey, the Commission proposes a new stage, based on a more detailed preparation for EU membership requirements. In this context, Turkey is encouraged to intensify and accelerate the process of political and economic reform in line with the accession criteria and the priorities set in the 'Accession Partnership' for Turkey adopted by the EU early this year. Turkey should also be forthcoming in working towards a solution of the Cyprus problem and the differences over European Security and Defence Policy.

Furthermore, the Commission proposes a detailed scrutiny of Turkey's legislation and its timetable for alignment with the 'acquis'. More attention will be given to the capacity of the Turkish administration to implement and enforce the 'acquis' effectively. Regular reports : substantial progress, but more needs to be done in implementing EU legislation effectively

As in previous years, the basis for the Commission's strategic recommendations are the Regular Reports. They review the progress of each applicant State towards accession in the light of the accession criteria. They assess progress on the basis of legislation that has actually been adopted by the candidates (i.e. not on the basis of draft legislation) and measures which have actually been implemented. The main findings of this year's reports are encouraging. All candidate countries continue to meet the political criteria, except Turkey (although this country is also beginning to make progress as demonstrated by the recent important constitutional reforms). The past year has generally seen further positive developments in the countries meeting the political criteria, and the overall record in strengthening democratic institutions, in respecting the rule of law and protecting human rights has improved.

However, some issues of concern remain : reform and strengthening of the judiciary should be further accelerated. The fight against corruption should be further stepped up. The trafficking of women and children remains a serious cause of concern, requiring vigorous measures. Efforts to improve the situation of the Roma must be sustained. And finally, Turkey should take the necessary measures to ensure that the recent important constitutional amendments translate into concrete progress concerning human rights. This year's assessment of progress made by candidate countries in meeting the economic criteria takes place at a time of rapidly deteriorating global economic conditions. However, over 2000, and the first half of 2001, growth in the candidate countries was relatively strong.

Overall, on the two economic criteria (existence of a functioning market economy, and the capacity to withstand competitive pressure and market forces within the Union) the conclusion is as follows:

· Cyprus and Malta have confirmed that they are functioning market economies and should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces in the Union

· Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia are functioning market economies. There are substantial economic differences among these countries, but provided these countries continue with a number of measures detailed in each specific regular report, they should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union in the near term.

· Bulgaria is close to being a functioning market economy. Provided it continues implementing reforms and intensifies the reform effort to remove persistent difficulties, it should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union in the medium term.

· Romania does not yet meet either criterion but has, for the first time, made decisive progress towards this objective.

· Turkey has been unable to make further progress towards achieving a functioning market economy. Considerable parts of its economy are, however, already competing in the EU market, under the framework of the customs union.

The ability to take on the obligations of membership - which is the third accession criterion - requires the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of the acquis. This supposes the presence of adequate administrative and judicial structures.

As last year, good further progress has generally been made in terms of the adoption of legislation. There has also been further progress in developing the administrative capacity required to implement the acquis, but this remains the area in which most work is still required. This is true for most or all of the candidate countries in EU policy areas as essential as, the smooth functioning of the internal market, sustainable living conditions, overall protection of citizens and the management of EU funds.

The accession criteria : a reminder Under the accession criteria defined by the European Council in 1993 in Copenhagen and subsequent European Councils, membership requires that the candidate country ensures :

· stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the respect for and protection of minorities

· the existence of a functioning market economy and the capacity to withstand competitive pressure and market forces within the Union

· the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union

In 1995, the European Council of Madrid highlighted the importance not only of incorporating the 'acquis' into national legislation, but also of ensuring its effective application through appropriate administrative and judicial structures.

The Strategy Paper and the Regular Reports are available at the following Internet address : http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index.htm

[03] United Kingdom: There is no legal obstacle for Cyprus' accession to the EU

The letter was a reply to Turkish Permanent Representative, Umit Pamir, concerning the legal opinion by Maurice Mendelson which supported the allegation that Cyprus' accession to the EU would be illegal and that the UK would be obliged by the conditions of the Treaty of Guarantee of 1960 to put forward a veto to the island's accession to the EU.

The British Permanent Representative in his letter declined these opinions and stated that according to Britain, there would be no legal obstacle for the Cypriot candidature to join the EU and that the solution to the Cyprus problem would not be a precondition for its accession. "Accession does not constitute union with another state and in this way it is not excluded by the provisions of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantees", Mr Greenstock noted.

[04] Greek Prime Minister's reference to Cyprus

[05] Greek Foreign Minister's reference to Cyprus

Mr Papandreou with regard to Cyprus stated, inter alia, the following: "our work in the region is far from complete. The architecture of trust we are building in South Eastern Europe is significantly hindered by the situation in Cyprus. For the question of Cyprus remains unresolved. The island remains divided, in a shameful condition. Cyprus is a tragic example of where our shared sense of justice, our shared code of values, has gone astray. And yet we have a new opportunity: both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities could benefit from the island's membership to the European Union. It is a win'win situation. I sincerely believe that every Greek aspires to a solution to Cyprus that will satisfy both communities; a solution imposed by no one party and accepted by all. I believe that this is also what every citizen in neighboring Turkey aspires to.

Our constant reference to UN Resolutions which clearly call for the creation of a bizonal, bi-communal Federation cannot interpret as a desire for outside imposition. Both communities have suffered terribly from outside intervention. On the contrary, this call expresses our deep belief in justice for Cyprus; a sense of justice for both communities. This is what the framework of the United Nations can guarantee.

I therefore appeal to the Turkish lieadership, to use this framework for a just solution. Let us not expand the wall that divides the two communities in Cyprus to divide Turkey from Europe. Let us instead break down this last Berlin Wall in Europe and help create a common future for the citizens of a free Cyprus. To all of us in the region, a region seeking to eliminate division, the prospect of the island's entrance into the united European family should be a source of euphoria, not fear".

[06] "Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms"

Mr Zakheos in his statement to the UN Committee noted that it is time for Turkey to adopt the decision made by the European Court of Human Rights, following Cyprus Fourth Interstate Application against the Republic of Turkey, if Turkey wished to consider itself as a law-abiding country of the international community. "It is high time for Turkey to respect the decision by withdrawing its occupation troops from Cyprus, end these human rights violations and allow the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, to live in conditions of peace, prosperity and security in a re-united federal Cyprus", Mr Zakheos stated, inter alia.

[07] US Secretary of State welcomes new initiative

"We look forward to working with both Cypriot leaders and with the United Nations as they move forward. They had, I think, two meetings in a period of two days, and they will be meeting again in January. So I did take note of it, and congratulated them for this new movement," he added.

[08] Prodi expresses the hope that Cyprus will soon take its deserved place in the EU

In a letter addressed to President Glafcos Clerides, dated 9 November, Mr Prodi states the following:

"I am grateful to you personally and to your administration for our warm and productive discussions during my stay. I left encouraged by the work done by your Government and Parliament in the transposition of the acquis. I am confident that Cyprus will soon take its deserved place among the Member States and I wish that a lasting and equitable settlement of the Cyprus question will bring peace and reconciliation in the Island."

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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