Brussels, 04/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - As we mentioned (EUROPE of 28 April, p.9), the European Commission adopted and forwarded to the Council, on Friday, its draft common positions (DCPs) for accession negotiations on the "free movement of capitals" chapter with Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The document on Poland was not approved on Friday (for practical reasons we are told) and will be ready "in the coming days", according to the Commission spokesperson. Negotiations on the "capitals" chapter are already underway with certain other candidates (Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia and Lithuania).
As to substance, "recognizing the existence of great political sensitivity surrounding this issue", the Commission recommends that the Fifteen allow those candidate countries so wishing to limit the purchase, by other EU nationals, of agricultural land for a period of 7 years. There should, however, be a review of this after 3 years to decide to shorten, or even repeal, this transition period. Such a review would be based on a factual report that the Commission will submit and which could be accompanied by a proposal to the Council of Ministers. Then, the Council acting through unanimity (meaning that each new Member country would have a right of veto), would decide to shorten or repeal the transition period. Some types of activity, especially those of independent farmers wanting to establish themselves and live in the future new Member States, would not be concerned by the Commission's proposal.
As for secondary residencies, the Commission proposes that the current Member States allow those candidates that so wish to limit the purchase (by non-resident Community citizens) for a 5-year period following enlargement. No review is planned for in this case.
On the basis of the Commission's (DCPs), Member States will now have to reach agreement on a common negotiating position which, according to the road map set up for enlargement, should be submitted to the candidates before the end of the Swedish Presidency, i.e., at the min-May negotiating session or, more likely, at the ministerial meeting of June.