Strasbourg, 22/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Adopting a broadly positive resolution from the EPP-ED, Socialist, Liberal and Greens/EFA groups on the outcome of the Copenhagen European Council last week in Strasbourg, the European Parliament hailed the success of the enlargement negotiations, pointing out that it would be called upon to give its assent to the accession of each candidate country before the Accession Treaties are signed and ratified (see Europe of 19 December, p 11 on the plenary debate with the Danish Presidency). The EP notes that it will be closely examining the financial implications of enlargement and will have to agree to any decision on adjusting the Financial Perspectives in view of the accession of ten new Member States (see Europe of 20 December, p.12 on the statements by Commissioner Michaele Schreyer in this connection).
In terms of the prospects for accession negotiations with Turkey, the EP endorsed an amendment by Enrique Baron and Gary Titley calling, on behalf of the Socialist group, on Ankara to decide (in order to meet the Copenhagen criteria) on a formal separation of civilians and military in the exercise of power. On the other hand, by rejecting an amendment by the Dutch Christian Democrat Arie Oostlander, the EP rejected a new EPP attempt to propose an alternative to Turkey joining the EU, in the form of a "specific partnership".
In terms of the institution, the resolution stresses that all measures connected with the appointment and term in office of the Commission should be the subject of an interinstitutional agreement to be signed at the end of January "fully respecting the European Parliament's prerogatives"; and for the next candidate for the Commission President to be put forward "after the European elections".