Statement by Mr Kimmo Sasi, Minister for Foreign Trade, on the progress reports published by the EU Commission on 8 November 2000
The Commission has today approved the annual progress reports assessing the fulfilment by the candidate countries of the accession criteria. The Commission also approved a strategy paper with recommendations for the process.
Finland notes with satisfaction that in general the candidate countries have made good progress since the previous reports in October 1999. Regarding the political criteria, the achievements are encouraging. Most countries have taken important steps to meet the economic criteria. A number of candidate countries can now be regarded as functioning market economies and some others are close to this stage. Finland shares the Commission´s view that reinforced efforts are needed in order to put EU legislation into practice by the candidate countries. A further strenghtening of the administrative structures is also called for in order to be able to meet membership criteria.
Enhanced efforts are now needed in order to keep up the momentum in the negotiation process. Commission proposes to adopt a new method to deal with requests for transitional measures, to establish a detailed roadmap for the remaining negotiations with the most advanced countries and to adopt a modified method for the opening of the negotiations on the remaining chapters with the countries which started their negotiations this year. These proposals are important elements when the European Council in Nice decides on the future of the process.
By the end of 2002 the Union will internally be ready for enlargement. According to the Commission talks could be concluded with the most advanced candidates in 2002. From the beginning of 2003 new members could acceed provided they have accomplished their preparations. This is in line with the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council.
The Commission does not propose a concrete target date for the first accessions. Finland shares the view that it is still too early to fix concrete dates since it could deviate attention from the negotiations proper. It is crucial that each candidate country will be examined according to objective criteria and according to their own level of preparedness.
Regarding the candidacy of Turkey, Finland is pleased to see that it is progressing along the decisions of the Helsinki European Council. The new progress report and the proposal by the Commission for an Accession Partnership for Turkey published today are important steps in the process which will lead to the opening of the negotiations after required reforms are accomplished. The Commission notes that Turkey still does not meet the political criteria. Accession partnership, which will be discussed in detail among the member states for the adoption by the Council contains a comprehensive inventory of the measures Turkey still has to undertake in order to meet the criteria.
The first discussion on the reports will take place in the General Affairs Council in Brussels on the 20 November 2000. The Nice European Council will take the necessary decisions on the future of the process. Sweden as the next Presidency has chosen enlargement as a priority. Finland fully supports Sweden in its efforts to carry on the negotiations in an efficient way.