—

Pursue reform of public administration and personnel policy in order to ensure greater efficiency, accountability and transparency,

—

strengthen local administrations by reforming the central administration, devolving powers to local administrations and providing them with adequate resources,

—

implement legislation aimed at establishing a fully operational Ombudsman system,

—

adopt and implement legislation on the Court of Auditors.

—

Strengthen efforts to align civilian control of the military in line with the practice in EU Member States. Ensure that the military does not intervene in political issues and that civilian authorities fully exercise supervisory functions on security matters, including as regards the formulation of the national security strategy and its implementation,

—

take steps towards bringing about greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of security affairs,

—

establish full parliamentary oversight of military and defence policy and all related expenditure, including by external audit,

—

limit the jurisdiction of military courts to military duties of military personnel.

—

Strengthen efforts, including through training, to ensure that interpretation by the judiciary of legislation related to human rights and fundamental freedoms is in line with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and with Article 90 of the Turkish Constitution,

—

ensure that the judiciary is independent of other state institutions, in particular as regards the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors and the inspection system. More specifically, ensure that the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors represents the judiciary as a whole,

—

strengthen the efficiency of the judiciary through, in particular, reinforcing its institutional capacity and adopting a new Code of civil procedure,

—

proceed with the establishment of regional intermediate courts of appeal.

—

Develop a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy, including the fight against high-level corruption, and a central body to oversee and monitor its implementation, including through establishing statistical data. Improve coordination between all institutions involved,

—

ensure implementation of the Regulation on Principles of Ethical Behaviour for Civil Servants and extend its provisions to elected officials, judiciary, academics and military personnel,

—

limit the immunities granted to politicians and public officials in line with European best practices and improve legislation on transparency in political party and election campaign financing.

—

Ratify the optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture which provides for the establishment of a system of independent monitoring of detention facilities.

—

Comply with the ECHR, and ensure full execution of the judgments of the ECtHR,

—

amend the criminal procedure Code so as to enforce the right to retrial in line with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR.

—

Establish an independent, adequately resourced national human rights institution in accordance with relevant UN principles. Monitor human rights cases, including through statistical data,

—

continue the training of law enforcement agencies on human rights issues and investigation techniques.

—

Ensure implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards torture and ill-treatment in line with the ECHR and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture,

—

ensure implementation of the Istanbul Protocol throughout the country, in particular by increasing medical expertise,

—

intensify the fight against impunity. Ensure that prosecutors conduct timely and effective investigations of alleged cases, leading to identification and punishment of perpetrators by the courts.

—

Strengthen efforts to ensure adequate legal aid and qualified interpretation services.

—

In view of ensuring full respect of freedom of expression, revise and implement legislation on freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, in line with the ECHR and with the case law of the ECtHR,

—

remedy the situation of those persons prosecuted or sentenced for non-violent expression of opinion.

—

Continue implementation of all reforms concerning freedom of association and peaceful assembly in accordance with the ECHR and its related case law. Implement measures to prevent the excessive use of force by security forces,

—

align with best practices in EU Member States as regards legislation on political parties.

—

Further strengthen the domestic development of civil society and its involvement in the shaping of public policies,

—

facilitate and encourage open communication and cooperation between all sectors of Turkish civil society and European partners.

—

Take the necessary measures to establish an atmosphere of tolerance conducive to the full respect of freedom of religion in practice.

—

Revise and implement legislation on foundations,

—

interpret and apply current legislation pending the adoption and implementation of the new law on foundations,

—

ensure that non-Muslim religious communities can acquire legal personality and exercise their rights,

—

ensure the possibility of religious education for non-Muslim minorities, including the training of their clergy,

—

ensure equal treatment of Turkish and foreign nationals as regards their ability to exercise the right to freedom of religion through participation in the life of organised religious communities,

—

adopt legislation to prevent repeated prosecutions and convictions of those who refuse to perform military service for conscientious or religious reasons.

—

Pursue measures to implement current legislation relating to women’s rights and against all forms of violence against women, including crimes committed in the name of honour. Ensure specialised training for judges and prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, municipalities and other responsible institutions and strengthen efforts to establish shelters for women at risk of violence in all larger municipalities, in line with current legislation,

—

further increase the awareness of the general public, and of men in particular, concerning gender issues, and promote the role of women in society, including through ensuring equal access to education and participation in the labour market and in political and social life; support the development of women’s organisations to fulfil these goals.

—

Ensure the full implementation of the Law on Child Protection and promote protection of children’s rights in line with EU and international standards,

—

continue efforts to tackle the problem of child labour and child poverty and improve the situation of street children.

—

Ensure that full trade union rights are respected in line with EU standards and the relevant ILO Conventions, in particular as regards the right to organise, the right to strike and the right to bargain collectively,

—

further reinforce social dialogue, facilitate and encourage cooperation with EU partners.

—

Guarantee in law and in practice the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all individuals, without discrimination and irrespective of language, political opinion, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation,

—

strengthen efforts to revise curricula and textbooks so that discriminatory language is eliminated.

—

Ensure cultural diversity and promote respect for and protection of minorities in accordance with the ECHR and the principles laid down in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and in line with best practice in Member States,

—

guarantee legal protection of minorities, in particular as regards the peaceful enjoyment of possessions, in line with Protocol No 1 to the ECHR.

—

Improve effective access to radio and TV broadcasting in languages other than Turkish, in particular by removing remaining legal restrictions,

—

adopt appropriate measures to support the teaching of languages other than Turkish.

—

Develop a comprehensive approach to reducing regional disparities, and in particular to improving the situation in southeast Turkey, with a view to enhancing economic, social and cultural opportunities for all Turkish citizens, including those of Kurdish origin,

—

abolish the village guard system in the south-east,

—

clear the area of landmines.

—

Pursue measures to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to their original settlements in line with the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Displaced Persons,

—

continue implementation of the law on the compensation of losses due to terrorism and the fight against terrorism. Ensure fair and prompt compensation of victims.

—

Actively support efforts to implement the agreed 8th July process leading to a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded, including concrete steps to contribute to a favourable climate for such a comprehensive settlement,

—

implement fully the Protocol adapting the Ankara Agreement to the accession of the new EU Member States, including removal of all existing restrictions on Cyprus-flagged vessels and vessels serving the Cyprus trade (1),

—

take concrete steps for the normalisation of bilateral relations between Turkey and all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus, as soon as possible (1).

—

Pursue further efforts to resolve any outstanding border disputes in conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter including, if necessary, jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice,

—

unequivocally commit to good neighbourly relations; address any sources of friction with neighbours; and refrain from any threat or action which could adversely affect the process of peaceful settlement of border disputes.

—

Ensure implementation of commitments undertaken under the Association Agreement, including the Customs Union.

—

Continue to implement appropriate fiscal and monetary policies with a view to taking adequate measures to preserve macroeconomic stability and predictability. Implement a sustainable and effective social security system,

—

further strengthen economic policy coordination across different institutions and policy areas in order to provide a consistent and sustainable economic policy framework for the economy,

—

continue privatisation of state-owned enterprises,

—

continue with market liberalisation, and price reforms, in particular in the areas of energy and agriculture,

—

address labour market imbalances. To this end, improve incentive structures and flexibility in the labour market to increase participation and employment rates; improve education and professional training efforts, thereby encouraging the shift from agriculture to a service-based economy,

—

improve the business climate. To this end, improve the functioning of the commercial judiciary and safeguard the independence of market regulatory authorities; improve bankruptcy procedures to address impediments to market exit,

—

identify and implement means to address the informal economy.

—

Abolish import permits or licence requirements, as well as disproportionate requirements for certificates in respect of products other than used motor vehicles,

—

submit to the Commission a plan for abolishing import permits on used motor vehicles,

—

complete the identification of measures contrary to Articles 28 to 30 of the EC Treaty, draw up a plan for their removal and introduce the mutual recognition clause into the Turkish legal order,

—

address the remaining issue on regulatory data protection for pharmaceutical products.

—

Present a detailed strategy which should include a timetable of all necessary steps in terms of legislative alignment and institutional capacity in order to comply with the acquis covered by this chapter,

—

continue alignment with the acquis for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, in particular by providing for a procedure for professional recognition distinct from academic recognition and by adopting the minimum training requirements set out in Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (2),

—

begin alignment with the acquis on postal services.

—

Continue to remove restrictions affecting foreign direct investments originating from the EU,

—

start to align payment systems legislation with the acquis.

—

Give an organisation for procurement the task of guaranteeing a coherent policy and steering its implementation,

—

present a comprehensive strategy which will include all reforms necessary for legislative alignment and institutional capacity building in order to comply with the acquis.

—

Adopt the new Commercial Code.

—

Improve the capacity of police, customs and the judiciary to enforce intellectual property rights, including strengthening coordination between these bodies,

—

address, in particular, the counterfeiting of trade marks and piracy.

—

Adopt a State aid law in line with the acquis requirements and set up an operationally independent state aid monitoring authority able to fulfil existing transparency commitments,

—

finalise and adopt the National Steel Restructuring Programme in line with EU requirements.

—

Continue alignment with the new capital requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and with the other related directives (deposit guarantee scheme, winding up and reorganisation, financial conglomerates, bank accounts),

—

strengthen prudential and supervisory standards both in banking and in the non-bank financial sector. Establish an independent regulatory and supervisory authority in the insurance and pension sector.

—

Adopt a new Electronic Communications Law aligned with the current EU Regulatory Framework,

—

complete the adoption and implementation of the key ‘starting conditions’ for the 2002 EU regulatory framework,

—

continue alignment of legislation in the field of audiovisual policy, in particular with regard to the Television without Frontiers Directive.

—

Establish an IPARD agency (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance Rural Development Component) accredited in compliance with EU requirements,

—

lift restrictions on trade in beefmeat, live bovine animals and by-products.

—

Adopt a framework law on food, feed and veterinary matters compliant with EU requirements and which allows a complete transposition of the EU acquis,

—

ensure the operationality of the system for the identification and registration of bovines and registration of their movement in compliance with the EU acquis, and start the implementation of an appropriate system for sheep and goats in order to trace movements,

—

take the necessary measures to allow the Thrace region to be recognised by the World Organisation on Animal Health as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone with vaccination,

—

classify all agri-food establishments by category based on the EU acquis and prepare a National Programme for upgrading those establishments.

—

Reinforce the administrative structures in particular by creating a central unit in charge of all fisheries matters. Particular attention also needs to be paid to strengthening fisheries inspection and control services,

—

adopt the revised Fisheries Law in line with EU requirements, including in the field of resource and fleet management, as well as inspection and control.

—

Adopt the Railways Framework Law in order gradually to open the Turkish rail transport market and provide for the separation of functions regarding infrastructure management and provision of services,

—

continue alignment with, and implementation in, the maritime sector paying special attention to the effective implementation of pollution prevention. Further strengthen maritime administration, including the improvement of the safety record of the Turkish fleet and the implementation of the maritime security acquis,

—

in the field of aviation, work towards a technical solution to ensure the necessary communication in order to guarantee the appropriate level of air safety in the South Eastern Mediterranean region,

—

engage in a process towards the recognition of ‘Community designation’ and provide a clear strategy for the progressive alignment to the acquis on the Single European Sky,

—

align with, and implement, the relevant provisions and specificities of the European Civil Aviation Conference’s policy statement in the field of civil aviation security.

—

Continue alignment with, and implementation of, the acquis on the internal gas and electricity market and on cross-border exchanges in electricity, also with a view to possible membership of the Energy Community Treaty. Ensure the implementation of fair and non-discriminatory rules for the transmission of gas,

—

continue to develop the capacities of the different regulatory authorities and ensure their independence,

—

strengthen administrative capacity and continue alignment in the energy efficiency field, promote high-efficiency cogeneration, and develop renewable energy in transport, electricity and heating/cooling, including the setting of appropriate and ambitious targets and incentives,

—

accede to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.

—

Take practical steps leading to a substantial reduction in discriminatory taxation of alcoholic products, imported tobacco and imported cigarettes, and present a plan with clear milestones, and agreed with the Commission, for the rapid elimination of any residual discriminatory taxation,

—

pursue alignment of VAT and excise duties, in particular on structure and applied rates,

—

continue strengthening and modernising the tax administration, including the IT sector, in order to increase compliance and improve collection of tax revenues and to reduce the informal economy.

—

Produce timely key national accounts indicators in accordance with ESA 95,

—

align the methodology and the organisational set-up for collecting information to provide agriculture statistics in line with EU requirements,

—

finalise establishment of the business register.

—

Establish conditions for an effective social dialogue at all levels, inter alia, by adopting new legislation eliminating restrictive provisions on trade union activities and ensuring full trade union rights,

—

provide an analysis of undeclared work in Turkey and draw up a plan to tackle this problem in the context of an overall action plan for the enforcement of the acquis for the benefit of the entire workforce,

—

finalise the work on the Joint Inclusion Memorandum (JIM) and the Joint Assessment Paper on Employment Policy Priorities (JAP) and actively implement both follow-up processes.

—

Adopt a revised comprehensive industrial policy strategy.

—

Reinforce the establishment of institutional structures and strengthen administrative capacity in the areas of programming, project preparation, monitoring, evaluation and financial management and control, particularly at the level of line ministries, to implement EU pre-accession programmes as a preparation for the implementation of the Community’s cohesion policy.

—

Strengthen efforts to align its legislation with the acquis on the protection of personal data and to establish an independent data protection supervisory authority.

—

See for other priorities the section on political criteria.

—

Continue to strengthen all law enforcement institutions and align their status and functioning with European standards, including through developing inter-agency cooperation. Adopt a code of ethics and establish an independent and effective complaints system to ensure greater accountability covering all law enforcement bodies,

—

continue efforts to implement the National Action Plan on Asylum and Migration (including through the adoption of a roadmap), increase capacity to combat illegal migration in line with international standards,

—

conclude urgently a readmission agreement with the EU,

—

make progress in the preparations for the adoption of a comprehensive asylum law in line with the acquis including the establishment of an asylum authority,

—

continue efforts to implement the National Action Plan on integrated border management including through the definition of a precise road map. Steps should be taken to establish the new border law enforcement authority,

—

implement the national strategy on organised crime. Strengthen the fight against organised crime, drugs, trafficking in persons, fraud, corruption and money-laundering.

—

Enhance the administrative capacity of the Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action National Agency in order to be able to deal with the increased workload.,

—

Adopt a comprehensive strategy for the gradual transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis, including plans for building up the necessary administrative capacity at national, regional and local level and required financial resources, with an indication of milestones and timetables,

—

continue transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis, in particular horizontal and framework legislation, such as the environmental impact assessment, including transboundary aspects, as well as strengthening of administrative capacity,

—

adopt the National Waste Management Plan.

—

Further align with the consumer and health acquis, including in the areas of blood, tissues and cells and tobacco, and ensure adequate administrative structures and enforcement capacity,

—

strengthen the courts’ capacity, including through training, to ensure consistency in interpretation of consumer legislation.

—

Align legislation on free zones with the relevant acquis, particularly for rules concerning customs controls and tax auditing,

—

strengthen the enforcement capacity of the customs administration, particularly regarding the fight against illegal trade and counterfeit. Continue the preparations for interconnectivity of the IT systems with the EU,

—

eliminate customs duty relief for goods covered by the Customs Union and which are sold in duty-free shops to travellers entering in Turkey.

—

Align with the EU position in the World Trade Organisation, as regards the Doha Development Agenda and in the OECD,

—

complete the alignment with the European Community regime on generalised system of preferences (GSP),

—

continue efforts to conclude outstanding free trade agreements with third countries in line with the acquis.

—

Continue to align with EU common positions, declarations, statements and démarches on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP),

—

align policies towards third countries and positions within international organisations with those of the EU and its Member States including in relation to the membership by all EU Member States of relevant organisations and arrangements such as Wassenaar.

—

Adopt an updated Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) Policy Paper and derived PIFC legislation,

—

adopt pending legislation to guarantee the functioning of the Turkish Court of Accounts in line with the International organisation of supreme audit institutions (INTOSAI) standards and guidelines,

—

set up an operationally independent anti-fraud coordination structure for the protection of EU financial interests.

—

Complete the privatisation programme,

—

ensure the sustainability of public finance,

—

continue to improve the general level of education and health, paying particular attention to the younger generation and women,

—

upgrade the country’s infrastructure, in particular in energy and transport, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy at large.

—

Ensure that the Public Employment Services have adequate capacity to guarantee participation in the EURES (European Employment Services) network,

—

continue to strengthen administrative structures, in particular for the coordination of social security schemes.

—

Further remove restrictions on the right of establishment and the freedom to provide cross-border services,

—

continue alignment on the acquis for postal services,

—

continue alignment with the acquis for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and, in particular, work towards repealing nationality requirements.

—

Implement the public procurement strategy,

—

promote the use of electronic means in procurement procedures.

—

Adopt a general-purpose financial reporting framework in the area of corporate accounting and auditing in line with EU standards,

—

strengthen disclosure requirements. In particular, adopt a general requirement for companies to file audited legal entity and consolidated financial statements in order to make them publicly available.

—

Continue alignment and ensure an effective enforcement of intellectual property rights.

—

align secondary legislation in the State aid field,

—

ensure transparency in the area of state aid in line with existing bilateral commitments. Inform the Community of all aid schemes in force and notify in advance any individual aid to be granted.

—

Continue the transposition and implementation of the acquis in the electronic communications area and prepare for full liberalisation of the markets,

—

further align with the audiovisual acquis and strengthen the independence and administrative capacity of the regulatory authority.

—

Continue developing the system of land identification and the National Farmer Registration System to prepare for controls on agricultural land,

—

start preparing the implementation of pilot actions relating to environment and the countryside, in view of future implementation of agri-environmental measures.

—

Adopt control measures for animal diseases and set up eradication plans where this is justified by the animal health situation,

—

enhance laboratory and control capacities in the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary domain,in particular as regards reference laboratories, residue testing (including control plans) and sampling procedures,

—

align the legislation on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) and animal by-products and start to set up the necessary collection and treatment system.

—

Set up a reliable stock assessment system to provide accurate information on marine resources,

—

adapt the existing fleet register to EU requirements.

—

continue the legislative and administrative alignment to the transport acquis in particular as regards road transport and air safety,

—

strengthen the capacity to implement EU acquis, including control measures, in line with EU standards.

—

Ensure the establishment of a competitive internal energy market, in compliance with the electricity and gas directives. Further strengthen administrative and regulatory structures needed for a functional and competitive energy market,

—

adopt a nuclear law which ensures a high level of nuclear safety in line with EU standards.

—

Continue alignment of excise duties and VAT, in particular as regards deductions, exemptions, special schemes, tax refunds and the application of reduced rates.

—

Reinforce the coordinating role and improve the administrative capacity of Turkstat to ensure more timely collection, processing and dissemination of data.

—

Continue transposition of the acquis and strengthen the related administrative and enforcement structures including the labour inspectorates, in association with social partners,

—

enhance capacity to assess and monitor labour market and social developments and address structural problems.

—

Give priority to projects identified under the Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA) and to projects of common interest listed in the European Community TEN-Energy Guidelines.

—

Develop at central, regional and local level the administrative capacity for the implementation of possible future Community cohesion policy.

—

Accelerate efforts to set up an integrated border management system in line with the acquis, based on close interagency coordination and professionalism of staff, covering, inter alia, a pre-screening mechanism to identify persons in need of international protection at borders,

—

continue with alignment with the acquis in the field of asylum, in particular through the lifting of the geographical limitation to the Geneva Convention and through strengthening protection, social support and integration measures for refugees,

—

ensure compatibility of Turkish legislation with the acquis in civil matters and strengthen the capacity of the judiciary to apply the acquis.

—

Continue to transpose and implement the acquis related to the framework legislation, international environmental conventions and legislation on nature protection, water quality, chemicals, industrial pollution and risk management and waste management,

—

pursue integration of environmental requirements into other sectoral policies.

—

Ensure a high level of protection through the effective enforcement of consumer protection rules and involvement of relevant consumer organisations,

—

in the area of mental health, develop community-based services as an alternative to institutionalisation, and ensure allocation of sufficient financial resources for mental health care.

—

Complete alignment of customs legislation on dual-use goods and technologies, precursors and counterfeit and pirated goods.

—

Align the Turkish Criminal Code with the protection of the European Communities financial interests Convention (PIF Convention) and its protocols.