Activites

• 2002/12/19 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0628/2002 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Copenhagen European Council welcoming the historic milestone represented by the conclusion of the accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. These States will be welcomed as members from 1 May 2004. It felt, however, that the implementation of certain aspects of the acquis communautaire as well as of the commitments undertaken by the new Member States still needs improvement. Parliament will examine carefully the progress reports from the Commission. Budgetary and financial issues: Parliament will scrutinise the financial consequences of enlargement. It hoped they will provide a solid basis for the integration of ten new Member States and safeguard the effective functioning of the enlarged Union, while ensuring the continued functioning of the internal market as well as the various EU policies, without prejudging future reform. Parliament emphasised the need for a reform of the CAP by 2006, not least in view of the Doha commitments. The lack of such a reform would have serious repercussions for the EU budget. It welcomed the overall budgetary compromise between the Member States and the candidate countries but regretted that the financial implications of the compromise reach beyond the term of the current financial perspective. An agreement on the next financial perspective requires the agreement of the European Parliament as part of the budgetary authority. Monitoring and safeguards: Parliament stated that it wished to be fully involved in the monitoring of the commitments given upto and after accession, including the procedure for application of the special safeguard clauses. These should only be applied following a qualified majority decision in the Council and the assent of the European Parliament. Cyprus: Parliament welcomed the undertaking of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to continue to negotiate with the objective of concluding a comprehensive settlement by 28 February 2003 on the basis of the proposals of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This would enable Parliament to give its assent to the accession of a united Cyprus. Bulgaria and Romania: Parliament is confident that the roadmaps put forward by the Commission will give both countries the ability to set the pace for its accession process. It welcomed the aim of Bulgaria and Romania to join the Union by 2007, but felt that both countries need to make further efforts, in which they will be assisted by the EU. Parliament stressed the need to improve significantly the management and use of pre-accession funds not only by decentralisation of Phare and ISPA, but also by encouraging the participation of civil society, particularly with regard to social and economic cohesion and rural development measures in the framework of a long-term strategy. Turkey: Parliament welcomed the steps taken by Turkey through recent legislative packages, testifying to the determination of the Turkish government to address all remaining shortcomings in the field of the political criteria. It also welcomed the fact that the normal EU procedure was confirmed in the case of Turkey's application for membership in Copenhagen, and that it is to be determined in autumn 2004. The Commission is asked to present a list of concrete targets, in particular the definitive separation of civil and militarycompetencies in exercising power, to be attained by Turkey in order to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria. Parliament will give its opinion on the possible opening of negotiations with Turkey on the basis of the Commission's progress report. It went on to welcome efforts by the countries of the Western Balkans (South-East Europe) to move closer to the Union with an ultimate view to accession. European security and defence policy: Parliament approved the comprehensive agreement reached with NATO on all outstanding permanent arrangements between the EU and NATO. As matters stand, Cyprus and Malta will not take part in EU military operations conducted using NATO assets once they have become members of the EU. Parliament also approved the Union's willingness to take over not only the military operation in FYROM from NATO, but also the military operation in Bosnia following SFOR. The next Presidency is asked - in parallel with the evolution towards a military capacity - to pay attention to further development of the EU instruments preventing conflict from leading to violence by civilian means. This involves making concrete proposals on how to mainstream conflict prevention, how to include conflict assessments, and how to involve non-governmental actors, such as NGOs. Parliament expressed its concern at ongoing efforts by the US Government to negotiate so-called bilateral immunity agreements with the current and future Member States. Institutional questions: Parliament insisted that on all arrangements related to the nomination and term of office of the Commission, an interinstitutional agreement which must fully respect the prerogatives of the European Parliament must be reached by the end of January. It also insisted that the proposal for the next President of the Commission must be made after the 2004 European elections. The EU must have the right to take decisions independently and on the basis of its own interests on the question of its enlargement seen from the point of view of its internal cohesion and its capacity to act and develop. Public approval for the enlargement of the EU must not be taken for granted in the candidate countries and the current Member States. The European institutions and current and future Member States must increase their efforts to inform their citizens about the accession process. Finally, Parliament felt that a comprehensive reform of the Union in terms of democratisation and efficiency is indispensable. It pointed out the importance of a successful conclusion of the work of the European Convention.�

• 2002/11/07 Final act published in Official Journal

Documents

• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0628/2002

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)