Luxembourg, 11/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - In its conclusions on enlargement, Monday's General Affairs Council welcomed progress made by the Swedish Presidency, notably regarding the freedom of movement of persons and capital, as well as on the environment and the internal market. The Council "appreciates the great efforts made by candidate countries, including in the context of the pre-accession strategy, to meet the accession criteria". In addition, it welcomes the Commission's information notes on road transport and food safety and is waiting for proposals for an EU common position on these two subjects so as to define the Union's stances as quickly as possible. It also confirms the goal of a high level of nuclear security in candidate countries.
The Council stresses progress made by Turkey in implementing the pre-accession strategy, but also states that the "European Union remains concerned at the human rights situation and presses Turkey to take concrete measures to implement the priorities of the partnership for accession". The EU welcomes the new economic programme and the additional support provided by the IMF and the World Bank which, accompanied by a "robust" application of the programme, should stabilise the economic situation and create conditions for a recovery.
In its conclusions, the Council also notes that enlargement will have consequences for Member States and the functioning and development of Community policies. These issues will be examined in accordance with the procedures laid down, says the Council, taking note of the Commission's following declaration: "The consequences of enlargement on economic and social cohesion have been analysed by the Commission in the second report on economic and social cohesion. On the occasion of the forum on cohesion of 21 and 22 May, the Commission took note of the concerns expressed by the current and future Member States and especially the memorandum presented by the Spanish delegation. The Commission will pursue its work and regularly report to the Council. It will prepare the third report on cohesion so as to draw up the necessary proposals for the continuation of the political dialogue on cohesion after 2006".