Brussels, 16/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Union will honour existing commitments on enlargement, including the prospects opened up to the Western Balkans, but it will be important to ensure in future that the Union is able to function politically, financially and institutionally as it enlarges, and to further deepen Europe's common project. This was agreed by the Heads of State and Government at the European Council on Friday after a debate that mainly focused on the EU's absorption capacity. As several Member States during the General Affairs Council of 12 June had requested (see EUROPE 9209), the text of the conclusions was slightly relaxed in the sense that absorption capacity is no longer described as a “criterion” for accession as indicated in the draft text submitted Friday. The Copenhagen criteria defined in 1993 stated that the EU's ability to take in new members had been deemed an “important consideration”, which should be taken into account. France, in particular, hoped to make it one of the real criteria for accession such as the political and economic criteria and that on adoption of the EU body of law. The European Council on Friday, however, finally decided to do away with the word “criteria” in the text. This cosmetic change in the conclusions does not, however, change the fact that “the Copenhagen criteria and the Union's absorption capacity are two sides of the same coin - absorption capacity is part of the accession criteria”, Chancellor Schüssel told the press. This concept is “now on our Agenda”, he said, while admitting that he does not like the term as the EU wishes to welcome countries into the fold, not absorb them. Answering a question put to him, Mr Schüssel went further saying: “Absorption capacity is a condition for accession”. (Ed.: which may seem even stronger than “criteria”). It is important that everyone should know exactly what the concept means in practical terms, he said. “We need a definition and an objective assessment of the different elements of absorption capacity and not vague phrases”, hence the importance of the report on absorption capacity that the European Commission will be preparing for the European Council in December 2006, when the future EU enlargement strategy will be at the centre of the debate, he added. Mr Schüssel also said that “after Bulgaria and Romania, we shall need a better Treaty” to ensure the enlarged EU works properly. He also restated his request that, in future, the question of financing enlargement should be settled before new memberships are approved. José Manuel Barroso, Commission President, reassured the candidate countries, saying: “There are no new membership criteria. If the candidate countries respect the Copenhagen criteria, they may join the European Union”, Mr Barroso said
President Chirac of France told the press that the debate at the European Council “has not toughened or changed the conditions for enlargement”. He also specified that the discussion opened on absorption capacity “in no way concerns the membership criteria, which remain the Copenhagen criteria and do not change”. In his view, enlargement is a “two-way contract: it is the resolve shown by a candidate state and the will to assume responsibility that this implies on the part of the others, that is, the whole of the EU”. Mr Chirac gave Turkey a warning, saying that it should “respect the commitments that it has taken”, mainly concerning the possibility for goods from Cyprus to arrive in Turkish ports. “If it does not fulfil these conditions, it will itself cast doubt on its ability to pursue the enlargement process”, the French president warned.
Bulgaria and Romania. In its conclusions, it comes as no surprise that the European Council reiterates the EU's “common objective to welcome Bulgaria and Romania in January 2007 as members of the Union if they are ready”. The Commission is expected to present its decisive report in October and, on this basis, the Member States will take a final decision regarding the date of accession. In order to avoid any last minute surprises, the summit invited the Bulgarian and Romania governments to “rigorously step up their efforts to tackle decisively and without delay the remaining issues of concern as mentioned in the Commission's May 2006 report”, which had identified several serous deficits for the two countries. The European leaders nonetheless remain convinced that “with the necessary political will, both countries can overcome the deficits stated to reach the envisaged date of accession on 1 January 2007”. The European Council also “encourages” Member States to complete the ratification of the Accession Treaty “without delay”.
Turkey. The Twenty-Five welcome the fact that negotiations strictly speaking have begun (talks on the first of the 35 technical, science and research chapters, were opened and provisionally closed on Monday in Luxembourg: see EUROPE 9209 and 9210). The Union is resolved to supporting Turkey in its efforts to comply with the accession criteria and norms. Progress in talks will depend on progress made by Turkey in preparing for accession, in line with the requirements set by the EU in the context of the talks. Requirements include respect of the obligations arising from the Association Agreement as well as the additional protocol (signed by Ankara in 2005 but still not ratified) on extending the EU/Turkey Customs Union to the ten new Member States, the Summit's conclusions state. Full application of this protocol by Turkey will be assessed by the end of the year, the 25 recall (the Commission will speak of it in its progress report on Turkey due for end October/early November). The EU invites Turkey to step up the pace of its reform and to fully implement reforms “towards the complete fulfilment of the Copenhagen political criteria” including the commitment to good neighbourly relations. “Any action which could negatively affect the process of peaceful settlement of disputes should be avoided”, the European Council warns.
Croatia. As for Turkey, the Council welcomes the start and provisional closure of the first chapter of negotiations with Croatia (see EUROPE 9209 and 9210) and recalls that the progress in talks will depend on the country's ability to comply with the Union's standards and membership obligations. This includes fulfilment of obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement as well as the implementation of the Accession Partnership, the Conclusions recall.
Western Balkans. The “European perspective of the Western Balkans” is “reconfirmed” and the Summit restates in its conclusions that “the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union”. The EU will continue to assist the Balkan countries with practical measures to make the European perspective “more tangible”, the conclusions state. The EU also hopes to see concrete results in the near future” with regard to regional cooperation between the countries concerned, mainly regarding the creation of a regional free trade a visa facilitation area in line with the common approach. The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in coordination with the EBRD are invited to intensify cooperation and to take appropriate measures aimed at a finance facility for the Western Balkans.