COMMISSION OPINION

of 19 April 1994

on the applications for accession to the European Union by the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway

(94/C 241/01)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Union, and in particular Article O thereof,

Whereas the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway have applied to become members of the European Union;

Whereas, in its opinions of 31 July 1991 (Austria), 31 July 1992 (Sweden), 4 November 1992 (Finland) and 24 March 1993 (Norway), the Commission has already had an opportunity of expressing its views on certain essential aspects of the problems arising in connection with these applications;

Whereas the terms for the admission of these States and the adjustments necessitated by their accession have been negotiated in Conference between the Member States and the applicant States;

Whereas, on the completion of those negotiations, it is apparent that the provisions so agreed are fair and proper; whereas, this being so, the European Union's enlargement, while preserving its internal cohesion and dynamism, will enable it to take a fuller part in the development of international relations;

Whereas, in so far as the Treaty of Accession transposes the principles governing the institutional balance of the Union of 12 to a Union of 16; these provisions are acceptable for the period up until the enforcement of the provisions which will follow the Intergovernmental Conference provided for in the Treaty on the European Union;

Whereas, in joining the European Union, the applicant States accept, without reserve, the Treaty on European Union and all its objectives, all decisions taken since the entry into force of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and the Treaty on European Union and the options taken in respect of the development and strengthening of those Communities and of the Union;

Whereas it is an essential feature of the legal order introduced by the Treaties establishing the European Communities that certain of their provisions and certain acts adopted by the institutions are directly applicable, that Community law takes precedence over any national provisions which might conflict with it, and that procedures exist for ensuring the uniform interpretation of Community law; whereas accession to the European Union implies recognition of the binding nature of these rules, observance of which is indispensable to guarantee the effectiveness and unity of Community law;

Whereas the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and of the rule of law form part of the common heritage of the peoples of the States brought together in the European Union and constitute therefore essential elements of membership of the said Union;

Whereas one of the objectives of the European Union is the desire of the Member States to deepen the solidarity between their peoples while respecting their history, their culture and their traditions;

Whereas enlargement of the European Union through the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway will help to strengthen safeguards for peace and freedom in Europe,

HEREBY DELIVERS A FAVOURABLE OPINION:

on the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway.

This opinion is addressed to the Council of the European Union.