Pre-accession

Pre-accession strategy and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of Pre-accession strategy provided by the European Union Commission: On the basis of the Europe Agreements (association agreements with Central and Eastern European countries), in 1993 the Commission proposed that there be a 'structured dialogue' between the associated countries and the institutions of the Union in the form of meetings at which the different partners could consult each other. In December 1994 the Essen European Council adopted a pre-accession strategy based on:

• deepening relations between the associated countries, the Member States and the institutions of the Union (strengthening the structured dialogue);

• implementation of the Europe Agreements;

• adaptation of the financial assistance provided by Phare.

At the December 1997 Luxembourg European Council a reinforced pre-accession strategy was launched for the ten Central and Eastern European applicant countries. It was based on:

• the Europe Agreements;

• the accession partnerships and the national programmes for the adoption of the acquis;

• participation in certain Community programmes, agencies and committees.

For Cyprus, a special pre-accession strategy was put in place the same year. In 1998 a strategy was adopted for Malta. Since 1999 Turkey has also enjoyed the benefit of a pre-accession strategy like the other candidate countries. Pre-accession strategies for Cyprus and Malta were based on:

• the association agreements;

• the accession partnerships and the national programmes for the adoption of the acquis;

• participation in Community programmes, agencies and committees;

• special pre-accession aid;

• in Turkey's case, a reinforced political dialogue.

The accession of ten new Member States on 1 May 2004 effectively ended their pre-accessions strategy. But they still enjoy the benefit of the pre-accession financial instruments for projects presented before 2005. And they are now eligible for the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. In October 2004 the Commission adopted a pre-accession strategy for Croatia, where negotiations are due to commence in 2005. Croatia will be eligible for the three pre-accession financial instruments (Phare, ISPA and SAPARD), but the Commission retains the right to suspend them immediately in the event of a serious and persistent violation of political criteria.

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Pre-accession strategy and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of Pre-accession strategy provided by the European Union Commission: On the basis of the Europe Agreements (association agreements with Central and Eastern European countries), in 1993 the Commission proposed that there be a 'structured dialogue' between the associated countries and the institutions of the Union in the form of meetings at which the different partners could consult each other. In December 1994 the Essen European Council adopted a pre-accession strategy based on:

• deepening relations between the associated countries, the Member States and the institutions of the Union (strengthening the structured dialogue);

• implementation of the Europe Agreements;

• adaptation of the financial assistance provided by Phare.

At the December 1997 Luxembourg European Council a reinforced pre-accession strategy was launched for the ten Central and Eastern European applicant countries. It was based on:

• the Europe Agreements;

• the accession partnerships and the national programmes for the adoption of the acquis;

• participation in certain Community programmes, agencies and committees.

For Cyprus, a special pre-accession strategy was put in place the same year. In 1998 a strategy was adopted for Malta. Since 1999 Turkey has also enjoyed the benefit of a pre-accession strategy like the other candidate countries. Pre-accession strategies for Cyprus and Malta were based on:

• the association agreements;

• the accession partnerships and the national programmes for the adoption of the acquis;

• participation in Community programmes, agencies and committees;

• special pre-accession aid;

• in Turkey's case, a reinforced political dialogue.

The accession of ten new Member States on 1 May 2004 effectively ended their pre-accessions strategy. But they still enjoy the benefit of the pre-accession financial instruments for projects presented before 2005. And they are now eligible for the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. In October 2004 the Commission adopted a pre-accession strategy for Croatia, where negotiations are due to commence in 2005. Croatia will be eligible for the three pre-accession financial instruments (Phare, ISPA and SAPARD), but the Commission retains the right to suspend them immediately in the event of a serious and persistent violation of political criteria.

Resources

See Also

Popular Treaties Topics

• Treaties of the United Nations (UN)
• Types of Treaties
• International Treaties
• Famous Treaties
• Law of Treaties
• Numbered Treaties