Considerations on COM(2000)502 - Assistance to Turkey in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, and in particular on the establishment of an Accession Partnership

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dossier COM(2000)502 - Assistance to Turkey in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, and in particular on the establishment of an Accession ...
document COM(2000)502 EN
date February 26, 2001
 
(1) The conditions to be fulfilled by applicant States wishing to join the European Union were set out at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993.

(2) The Heads of State and Government meeting at the European Council in Helsinki from 10 to 11 December 1999 reaffirmed the inclusive nature of the accession process, which now comprises 13 candidate States within a single framework.

(3) The European Council in Helsinki stated that Turkey is a candidate State destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria applied to other candidate States and that building on the existing European strategy, Turkey, like other candidate States, will benefit from a pre-accession strategy to stimulate and support its reforms.

(4) The European Council in Helsinki stated that an Accession Partnership will be drawn up for Turkey on the basis of previous European Council conclusions while containing priorities on which accession preparations must concentrate in the light of the political and economic criteria and the obligations of a Member State.

(5) It would be appropriate for European Community assistance within the framework of the Accession Partnership to focus on the aforementioned political and economic criteria and be guided by defined principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions.

(6) The Heads of State and Government meeting at the European Council in Feira from 19 to 20 June 2000 invited the Commission to present as soon as possible proposals for a single financial framework for assistance to Turkey, as well as for an Accession Partnership.

(7) The Partnership, and in particular its intermediate objectives, should assist Turkey in preparing for membership within a framework of economic and social convergence and in developing its national programme for the taking up of the acquis as well as a relevant timetable for its implementation.

(8) It is essential to manage the available financial resources carefully and in line with the priorities arising out of the Accession Partnership for Turkey and the Commission's regular reports.

(9) Community assistance under the pre-accession strategy should be provided by applying to Turkey the aid programmes adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Treaties and therefore this Regulation will have no financial implications.

(10) Community assistance is conditional upon respect of the commitments contained in the EC-Turkey Agreements, the Accession Partnership and upon progress towards fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria.

(11) The programming of the financial resources making up Community assistance will be decided in accordance with the procedures set out in the Regulations relating to the corresponding financial instruments or programmes.

(12) The role played by the bodies set up under the EC-Turkey Agreements is central to ensuring the proper implementation and follow-up of this Accession Partnership.

(13) Establishing the Accession Partnership is likely to help achieve the Community's objectives. The Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Regulation, powers other than those of Article 308.