The report by Mr Arie OOSTLANDER (PPE, NL) and Mr Enrique BARON CRESPO
(PSE;
E) on the communication from the Commission on 'AGENDA 2000', adopted by
373 votes to 28 with 58 abstentions, considers that any country which is
situated in Europe and has democratic institutions may legitimately aspire
to join the Union. Enlargement, which is a response to the changes that
have taken place on the European continent, is a moral, political and
economic challenge. MEPs feel that a Union reinforced (rather than
weakened)
by enlargement is in the interests of both the applicant countries and the
current Member States.
While emphasizing the need to adopt a strategy which does not exclude any
applicant country, Parliament states that membership must be based on full
compliance with the acquis communautaire and that transitional measures
must be limited to a minimum.
Parliament reiterates the accession criteria laid down at the Copenhagen
European Council in 1993, which stipulate that applicant countries must
have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human
rights, and respect for and protection of minorities. They must also have a
functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive
pressures and market forces within the Union.
Finally, they must have the ability to take on the obligations of
membership (respect for the acquis communautaire) and must adhere to the
aims of political, economic and monetary union.
1) Enlargement strategy:
The first strategic objective of the European Union must be to enable all
the applicant countries to meet the Copenhagen criteria. To achieve this,
the first step is to acknowledge their moral right to enter the Union,
while implementing a strategy which encourages them to meet those criteria.
The preparations for this must involve all the Central and Eastern European
countries.
Parliament considers that the decision taken by the Commission to preselect
the countries that in the medium-term would be able to take on the
obligations relating to membership of the European Union is appropriate
neither in political nor economic terms. It is convinced that all the
applicant countries have the right to participate in the enlargement
progress from the start, on the understanding that the duration of
negotiations may vary depending on the ability of each country to accept
the acquis communautaire.
Consequently, the European Union must be open to all European democracies
wishing to support its objectives, and Parliament calls on the Council to
embark upon the enlargement process with all applicant countries. It
believes that all applicant countries which currently meets the Copenhagen
criteria have the right to start the reinforced negotiation and accession
process at the same time, early in 1998. Parliament shares the Commission's
view that intensive negotiations should begin, on an individual basis, with
the countries which have made the most progress. It also states that the
Union should not determine the date of full membership in advance. At
internal level, Parliament considers that the institutional framework which
has emerged from the Amsterdam Treaty does not meet the necessary conditions
for achieving enlargement without endangering the operation of the Union and
the effectiveness of its actions. Consequently, it confirms the view set out
in its resolution of 19 November 1997 on the Amsterdam Treaty regarding the
institutional reforms which must be achieved before any further enlargement.
Parliament regards the European Conference as an essential instrument for
political cooperation, though it should not replace bilateral negotiations
on accession. Instead, it must be designed as a specific instrument of
pan-European cooperation.
2) Impact on EU policy: regarding financial aspects, Parliament notes the
Commission's view that 1.27% of GDP is enough to meet the challenges facing
the EU over the period 2000-2006. However, this estimate is based on its
assumptions about GDP growth, reform of Community policies, and the outcome
of the enlargement process. Parliament reaffirms its view that the current
system of own resources is unlikely to be sufficient to fund a successful
enlargement and that, in view of the need to take account of as-yet unknown
factors, a review clause on expenditure and resources must be included in
the new financial framework. Bearing in mind the positive overall outcome of
previous enlargements, and considering that enlargement will strengthen the
weight and influence of the European Union in the international economic
system, Parliament calls on the Union and applicant countries to define
forthwith a coordinated strategy for the commitments to be made within the
WTO. Parliament considers it essential for the phased integration of the
applicant countries to go hand-in-hand with a more determined policy of
harmonizing the external aspects of the internal market (coordination of
trade policies). It believes, given the strength of the applicant countries,
that enlargement will increase economic growth in the Member States. In any
event, it stresses that the budgetary costs of enlargement are but a
fraction of the peace dividend gained after the Cold War and that investing
in enlargement is a way of sustaining this dividend. In terms of regional
policy and economic and social cohesion, Parliament stresses the importance
of ensuring that the financial repercussions of enlargement do not undermine
the principles of solidarity and cohesion within the Community.
The lack of adequate financial resources may result in a cut in the funding
currently earmarked for the Union's regions benefiting under cohesion
policy. Consequently, and irrespective of the enlargement process,
Parliament believes that regional policy reform is essential.
Regarding social issues, it notes the absolutely essential need for
applicant countries to adjust to the European social model, and it would
also welcome a white paper on the social situation and social policy in
applicant countries.
Parliament calls for appropriate flexibility as regards transition periods,
in order to ensure integration in a manner which is acceptable in social
terms. It also advocates the ongoing pursuit of economic, social and
regional development in the applicant countries.
Adaptation of the common agricultural policy is rendered even more
necessary by the prospect of enlargement. Parliament believes that, given
the considerable differences in prices and the need to encourage a rural
development policy, the common agricultural policy in its current form
should not be extended to the new members. Thought should be given to the
possibility of setting longer transitional periods for the application of
this policy in the new Member States.
Finally, it notes with great concern the Commission's findings regarding
the applicant countries' administrative and judicial capacity to apply
Community law. Similarly, it emphasizes the importance of environmental and
public health problems in the applicant countries and recommends that
measures be adopted in these fields.