Accession negotiations with Slovenia on the "energy" chapter could be provisionally closed in March

Brussels, 23/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, Coreper approved an EU common negotiating position providing for the provisional closure of accession negotiations with Slovenia on the "energy" chapter at the next session of negotiations (at deputy level), scheduled for 29/30 March. So far, only Hungary has been able to close that chapter which - for some applicant countries - is especially sensitive due to the "nuclear safety" aspect. The EU's common position, however, expressly provides for the Fifteen being able to return to the chapter, notably in light of the results of the work of the Working Group on Atomic Questions that the Council has set up in view of defining the nuclear safety criteria that the candidates will have to meet before membership. This group of experts will also provide an assessment of the current ability of the candidates to meet these criteria. The Group's final report is expected before the end of the Swedish Presidency. Regarding the nuclear plant of Krsko, Slovenia has been encouraged to attach particular importance to close cooperation with the Croatian authorities (which are co-owners of the plant), their ability to deal with emergency situations and the seismic risks in the region around Krsko.

At the same meeting on 21 February, Coreper also approved an EU common position for accession negotiations with the Czech Republic on the same "energy" chapter. Contrary to Slovenia, the Czech Republic will not be able to provisionally close this chapter at the negotiating meeting of 29/30 March, notably due to differences over the safety of the Temelin nuclear power plant. Austria presented Coreper with a written statement (backed by Germany) stipulating that Austria would make its future stance on the possible closing of the "energy" chapter with the Czech Republic dependent on the results of the Council's Working Group for Atomic Questions, as well as the results of an environmental impact assessment that it would like to see undertaken at Temelin, according to Community rules in force in the matter.