Brussels, 08/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - As foreseen, the European Union Council formally adopted the Accession Partnership with Turkey. This decision opens the way to the implementation of the pre-Accession strategy for this country. As underlined by Commissioner Gunter Verheugen "the Accession Partnership is a road map for Turkey to comply with the criteria for accession to the Union". "It will stimulate the much needed reforms in Turkey not only in the political, but also in the economic field", he added.
The next stage in the accession process will be the approval by Turkey of its national programme for the adopting of the Community acquis. EUROPE recalls that the Council had, ten days ago, adopted the framework regulation on the Accession Partnership (see EUROPE of 26 February, p.10).