Brussels, 30/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Here is an overview of the results of accession negotiations held on Friday at deputy level (ambassadors of Member States and chief negotiators for the candidates) with six countries candidates for membership, following the negotiations with six other countries on Thursday (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.7).
Lithuania closed six chapters on: free movement of capital, Economic and Monetary Union, social policy, telecommunications, culture/audiovisual policy, consumer protection, and opened negotiations on new chapters (competition, fisheries, customs union, regional policy, financial and budgetary aspects). It has thus closed 13 of the 31 chapters;
Estonia closed two more chapters (financial control, free provision of services), which takes the number of chapters closed to 18. Estonia is thus now leading the candidates in terms of chapters closed, together with Slovenia and Cyprus;
Latvia closed talks on two further chapters: free movement of goods, culture/audiovisual policy. Other chapters were opened: regional policy, social policy, energy, telecommunications, customs union, budgetary aspects. Total of issues closed for Latvia: 11;
Slovakia completed negotiations on two chapters (free movement of goods, EMU) and opened others (company law, regional policy, social policy, the environment, budgetary aspects). Total number of chapters closed: 12;
Romania opened one more chapter (company law); nothing was provisionally closed. Total of issues closed so far: 6;
Bulgaria opened three chapters (free provision of services, competition policy, fisheries) but no chapter was closed. Total number of chapters closed: 8.