In adopting the report by Mr Arie OOSTLANDER (PPE, NL), Parliament made certain
amendments to the Commission proposal on assistance to the applicant countries in central and
eastern Europe (CEECs) in the framework of the pre-accession strategy.
In particular, Parliament wished other criteria to be respected in connection with accession
partnerships:
-political criteria, on which continued progress was essential for the continuation of the accession
process,
-obligations as to the adoption of the acquis communautaire, specifically as to its social and
environmental aspects,
-economic obligations incumbent upon a future Member State.
The funds for assistance to each applicant country must be geared to supporting sustainable
development.
As regards procedure, Parliament asked to be consulted before the Council decided on the
principles, priorities and general conditions of each accession partnership. It also wished the
Commission to inform Parliament regularly about the implementation of each such partnership.
In the event of any violation of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, or respect for
and protection of minorities, Parliament wished to have the opportunity to deliver its opinion before
the Council took the appropriate measures.
Parliament specified that these measures could include measures of a financial, economic and
budgetary control nature.�