European Union Enlargement Ii

focus on the conditions and timing of the candidate’ s adoption, implementation and application of EU rules these rules (also known as “acquis”, French for “that which has been agreed”) are not negotiable Negotiations are conducted individually with each candidate Features

the pace depends on each country’ s progress in meeting the requirements Support from civil society is essential in this process. Negotiating sessions are held at the level of ministers or deputies the whole body of EU law is divided into “chapters” identify areas in need of alignment in the legislation, institutions or practices of a candidate country. I. screening

Accession negotiations

Commission establishes a “screening report”for each chapter and each country “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”

II. Reporting and monitoring

annual strategy papers and individual country progress reports Monitoring continues until accession

III. Accession Treaty is signed Steps

IV. the candidate country becomes an “Acceding State” can comment on draft EU proposals, communications, recommendations or initiatives acquires “active observer status”on EU bodies and agencies is entitled to speak, but not to vote V. The accession state becomes a Member State. A. EU provides support to the countries in their preparations for EU accession B. Candidates often need to carry out significant reforms to implement EU rules set up new bodies

Enlargement

independent competition authority food-standards agency de-militarizing the police

restructure existing institutions

upgrading environmental and nuclear-safety watchdogs giving prosecutors more autonomy in combating corruption

C. These reforms usually imply major investments in know-how and funds D. The EU also promotes strategies to boost public understanding of the accession process dialogue between the EU countries and candidate countries at the level of civil society E. Strengthening institutional capacity or “institution building” developing the structures or training the staff responsible for applying EU rules in the candidate country

Assistance for membership

Advice on implementing the acquis is often provided via “Twinning”arrangements building solid-waste disposal plants F. Helping them to upgrade their infrastructure

improving transport networks

G. Candidate countries are allowed to participate in EU programmes Areas of public health or research may also receive grants and loans from international financial institutions H. “Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance”(IPA): EU new financing instrument strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law reform public administration carry out economic reforms promote respect for human as well as minority rights and gender equality support the development of civil society and advance regional co-operation contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction

EU Enlargement II.mmap - 04/12/2008 -