Brussels, 25/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - As we pointed out last week on the occasion of the vote on the Emma Nicholson report on Romania (see EUROPE of 20 February, p.6), the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs also adopted the report by its Chairman, Elmar Brok (CDU), on the state of preparedness of the ten acceding countries, as well as the report by Geoffrey van Orden (British Conservative) on Bulgaria. The three reports will be voted by the European Parliament in March, in Strasbourg.
The foreign affairs committee fully shared the rapporteur's positive view of Bulgaria. Accession negotiations with Bulgaria are unfolding without major problems and are on the right track. MEPs also share the opinion of the rapporteur that negotiations should be concluded in 2004 to allow the country to join in 2007. They stress that the accession date for Bulgaria should not necessarily be linked to that of other candidate countries (an allusion to Romania which is currently experiencing problems: see Nicholson report). MEPS are mainly pleased with Bulgaria's constitutional reform which opens the road to in-depth administrative and judiciary reform. The adoption of an anti-corruption legislation is also positive progress, although this legislation has still to be applied and more systematic measures have still to be taken against fraud and corruption. The legislation and measures taken for the protection of children were also well received by MEPs, who encourage the Bulgarian authorities to persevere in their effort to promote integration of the Rom community. According to MEPs, the problems still to be tackled in a more resolute way by the Bulgarian authorities include the trade in jpeople, which is ongoing, the need to improve the legal aid system, abolition of the obligation for EU nationals to have a permanent residence permit if they wish to work in Bulgaria, and the 2003 law on religious confessions, for which MEPs call on the Commission to verify compatibility with the international conventions on fundamental rights.
The Brok report generally insists, when it concerns the ten acceding countries, that these countries should not relax their effort to achieve European standards after accession, especially in sensitive fields such as treatment of the Roma minority. The report notes that, in only 3% of the Community legislation, have serious problems been noted by the European Commission but that, in other major fields, there are still shortcomings in the implementation of European directives. The Commission should therefore continue to put pressure on the new Member States after accession. MEPs deplore the fact that some countries have still not taken the necessary measures and stress it is essential to have an administration that works well to ensure correct use of Community funds. Sharing the concerns of the current Member State consumers regarding food safety of products from acceding countries, the report reminds the Commission of its obligation to ban exports of food products from regions or States where food safety is not guaranteed. MEPs also speak of the possibility of applying safeguard clauses but only to limit the possible risks of upsetting the internal market. They mainly express concern about the lack of adequate progress made by some countries in the field of veterinary legislation, in particular for curtailing the risk of BSE and for processing animal offal. The current Member States intending to keep their labour market closed to workers of the new acceding states during a transitional period of seven years are invited to study more closely the reality of migratory flows predicted after accession and to open up their borders as soon as possible. The new Member States are invited to improve the security of EU external borders by effectively combating illegal traffic and organised crime.
Some of the aspects mentioned in the country-by-country sections of the Brok report are:
Czech Republic. Although the assessment on this country is on the whole positive, the report notes some matters with concern, such as the trade in human beings (especially children) at the border with Germany. The report also voices concern about the fact that Prague has not yet been able to adopt the EU body of law in the food industry and calls for immediate action to be taken so that European consumers are not placed at risk. The country must also make a greater effort to combat money laundering, for mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the healthcare sector and for the financial control of Structural Funds.
Cyprus. Recalling the hope that a united island of Cyprus will be joining on 1 May, the foreign affairs committee welcomes the resumption of talks on 10 February this year. Greek Cypriots are called upon to show goodwill and Turkish Cypriots are requested to accept Mr Annan's plan.
Estonia: Although Estonia has made great efforts to prepare for accession, there are still shortcomings, notably in mutual recognition of vocational qualifications, labour laws and gender equality. The Estonia government is expected to make additional efforts to resolve the problems of stateless citizens (165,000) and the latter themselves will be expected to make more of an effort too.
Latvia: the administrative capacity of the contrary has improved and reform of the legal administration has also progressed. On the other hand, the level of corruption remains high. Other subjects of worry, the report cites legal investigation proceedings, prison over-crowding and the low priority given to the fight against the trafficking in human beings. Latvia is also expected to be more pro-active in integrating its ethnic minorities and ensuring bilingual teaching, which would contribute, in particular, to the integration of the Russian speaking minority. Latvia should encourage naturalisation and make plans for granting voting rights to long term residents in local elections.
Lithuania: Lithuania has made enormous economic progress. It has accomplished a high degree of legislative compliance and is carrying out a satisfactory integration policy of its minorities. The report, however, calls on the country's authorities to apply themselves more resolutely in tackling long term and very high rates of unemployment by way of pro-active labour market policy. They also underline the importance of ensuring security at the Lithuanian borders and continuing the fight against illegal trafficking and organised crime.
Hungary: Hungary has continued to make efforts on a sustained basis but it is urgent that some of its administrative shortfalls are made good in the farming sector. The Hungarian economy has slightly declined over recent years and the trade deficit has to be re-balanced. The "Status Law" affecting Hungarian citizens living in neighbouring countries has been amended and the parties concerned have agreed to intensify dialogue and resolve issues still pending. There have been breakthroughs in the fight against money laundering and an anti-corruption programme has been introduced. Nevertheless, MEPs have illustrated the gravity of the corruption problem and the embezzlement of public funds. They are hoping that all possible measures will be taken to undertake successful investigations and bring some transparency in this area.
Malta: the report is pleased that all Maltese parties now unreservedly support EU accession. Malta has aligned practically all its national legislation on that of the EU. MEPs hope that the wild birds directive will be completely applied after the planned transformation period.
Poland: the Polish government says that it is ready to make all efforts necessary to rectify insufficiencies identified in the last Commission report, which was well received by MEPs. However, MEPs say that they are very worried about corruption in the different spheres of economic and political activity. Reorganisation and modernisation should continue and greater security should be offered to foreign investors. Unemployment remains worrying. Community legislation on food safety, the environment and animal welfare has not always been fully implemented. Obtaining the necessary administrative structures in agriculture are still being awaited. Progress still needs to be obtained in the legal system. A professional civil service still needs building and Community legislation on mutual recognition of vocational qualifications should be transposed as quickly as possible. the need to obtain 10,000 signatures in a region in order to participate in the European elections is considered as an obstacle to greater diversity on the electoral lists.
Slovenia: Slovenia has made significant economic progress and has made its rules on foreign investment more flexible. It has almost completed transposing necessary legislation. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to ensure compatibility of certain laws with European rules for market adjudication an speeding up mutual recognition of vocational qualifications. Although ordinary citizens are not involved in corruption, according to certain official studies, this phenomenon more frequently involves those in the higher echelons of society.
Slovakia: Slovakia is continuing reform of the legal system but the effective implementation of European standards will still require further efforts over the next few years. The Slovak government should give priority to the fight against corruption. Although Slovakia is virtually ready to apply Community rules as from accession, MEPs are worried about some problem areas revealed in the Commission's follow-up report. Reforms to public administration should be implemented as soon as possible. MEPs are supporting efforts by the government to improve living conditions for the Rom people and for fighting against their social exclusion.