92001E2835

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2835/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Subject: Poland's accession to the European Union

The Financieele Dagblad of 27 September 2001 reported the following comments made by a senior Commission official: The enlargement without Poland would be the same as the introduction of the euro without Germany.

Does the European Commission share my view that each country should be judged individually in the light of the accession criteria originally laid down, and that Poland is no exception?

Does the European Commission likewise share my view that the accession of the other applicant countries should not be delayed by any failure on Poland's part to meet the criteria?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

In its Enlargement Strategy Paper for 2000, the Commission reiterated its commitment to honouring the historic promise of the 1993 Copenhagen European Council that the countries in Central and Eastern Europe that so desire shall become members of the Union. Accession will take place as soon as a country is able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions.

The European Councils of Nice (7 to 9 December 2000) and Göteborg (15 and 16 June 2001) confirmed this solemn commitment at the highest level, subscribing to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 4 December 2000 on the principle of differentiation and allowing scope for catching up, with the best prepared countries having the opportunity to progress more rapidly. The criteria laid down apply to all the candidate countries including Poland.

The Göteborg European Council re-stated the Commission's roadmap objective of concluding negotiations by the end of 2002 with the countries that were ready so that they could participate in the 2004 elections for the European Parliament as Member States. In view of their progress with accession preparations and internal planning, up to ten candidate countries, including Poland, have a real chance of concluding negotiations by the end of 2002.