52004DC0657

Brussel 6.10.2004

KUMM(2004) 657 finali

KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMISSJONILILL-KUNSILL U LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW

Dokument ta' Strateġija tal-Kummissjoni dwar il-progress fil-proċess tat-tkabbir{SEG(2004) 1199, 1200} KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMISSJONILILL-KUNSILL U LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW

Dokument ta' Strateġija tal-Kummissjoni dwar il-progress fil-proċess tat-tkabbir

It-tkabbir ta' l-UE għal għaxar Stati Membri ġodda fl-1 ta' Mejju 2004 saħħaħ aktar l-għaqda tal-kontinent Ewropew. L-argumenti storiċi u politiċi favur dan it-tkabbir huma qawwijin: itejjeb il-paċi, il-prosperità, l-istabilità u s-sigurtà u pproduċa wkoll benefiċċji ekonomiċi sostanzjali.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija huma parti integrali ta' dan il-proċess ta' tkabbir li beda fl-1997. Iż-żewġ pajjiżi huma qrib li jispiċċaw in-negozjati. L-għan ta' l-UE huwa li tilqa' liż-żewġ pajjiżi f'Jannar 2007 bħala membri, jekk ikunu lesti.

L-istima tal-Kummissjoni fir-Rapport Regolari ta' din is-sena jikkonferma li l-istrateġija ta' l-Unjoni ta' qabel l-adeżjoni mal-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija rnexxiet. Il-proċess ta' trasformazzjoni fiż-żewġ pajjiżi ġie mgħaġġel mill-prospett tat-tkabbir. Il-Kummissjoni ser tagħmel kull sforz sabiex tilħaq l-għan tal-Kunsill Ewropew li jirnexxielu jagħlaq in-negozjati mal-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija fl-2004, a bażi tal-merti proprji, bi skop li t-Trattat ta' l-Adeżjoni jiġi ffirmat mill-aktar fis possibbli fl-2005.

F'Ġunju 2004 il-Kunsill Ewropew ikkonkluda li n-negozjati ta' l-adeżjoni mal-Kroazja ser jibdew kmieni fl-2005. Hawn taħt il-Kummissjoni tistabbilixxi suġġerimenti għal qafas għal dawn in-negozjati filwaqt li tibni fuq esperjenzi mill-proċess tat-tkabbir preżenti. Tippreżenta wkoll il-kontenut ta' strateġija ta' qabel l-adeżjoni għall-Kroazja li jinkludi strumenti finanzjarji.

Skond il-konklużjonijiet tal-Kunsill Ewropew ta' Diċembru 2002, il-Kummissjoni għandha tagħmel apprezzament f'dokument separat dwar jekk it-Turkija tilħaqx il-kriterji politiċi ta' Kopenħagen u jekk in-negozjati għall-adeżjoni għandhomx jinfetħu.[1] Il-pajjiżi Balkani tal-Punent kollha għandhom ix-xewqa li jsiru pajjiżi kandidati. Diġà, l-ex Repubblika Jugoslava tal-Maċedonja, li applikaw biex issir membru, u fuq talba tal-Kunsill, il-Kummissjoni qed tipprepara Opinjoni dwar dik l-applikazzjoni.

Fir-Rapporti Regolari huwa stmat il-progress li sar mill-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija lejn il-kisba tal-kriterji ta' l-isħubija, f'termini ta' leġislazzjoni u miżuri attwalment adottati jew implimentati.

Ir-Rapporti Regolari ta' din is-sena jistmaw l-abilità tal-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija li jassumu l-obbligazzjonijiet kollha ta' l-isħubija mal-mument ta' l-adeżjoni. Jevalwaw il-progress li sar fl-aħħar sena u jħarsu wkoll lejn il-progress li sar minn kull pajjiż mill-Opinjonijiet ta' l-1997 u l-storja tagħhom fl-implimentazzjoni tar-rabtiet li saru fin-negozjati.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jkomplu jilħqu l-kriterji politiċi ta' Kopenħagen. Hemm bżonn li jsir titjib b'mod partikolari fir-riforma ta' l-amministrazzjoni pubblika, fil-ħidma tas-sistema ġudizzjarja tagħhom u fil-ġlieda kontra l-korruzzjoni.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jilħqu l-kriterju li huwa ekonomija tas-suq li taħdem. Il-kontinwazzjoni tat-triq tar-riforma tal-Bulgarija u l-implimentazzjoni qawwija tal-programm ta' riforma strutturali tar-Rumanija għandhom jippermettuhom ikampaw mal-pressjoni tal-kompetizzjoni u mal-forzi tas-swieq ġewwa l-Unjoni.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija komplew jagħmlu progress tajjeb fl-adozzjoni ta' l-acquis u ġeneralment laqħqu l-irbit tagħhom li għamlu fin-negozjati. Huma qegħdin f'triq tajba biex ilestu t-trasposizzjoni leġiżlattiva meħtieġa sa l-adeżjoni kemm-il darba jinżamm il-pass kurrenti tal-progress, Jeħtieġu li jkomplu l-isforzi tagħhom biex jiżviluppaw biżżejjed kapaċità amministrattiva u ġudizzjarja biex jimplimentaw u jinforzaw l- acquis.

Il-konklużjonijiet tar-Rapporti Regolari dwar il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jinsabu fl-Anness 1. Ir-Rapporti Regolari jindikaw numru ta' oqsma fejn għandu jsir aktar titjib fil-kuntest tal-kriterji politiċi u ekonomiċi u relatat ma' l-adozzjoni, l-implimentazzjoni u l-inforzar ta' l-acquis. Għandha ssir enfasi qaqqija f'dawn l-oqsma sabiex in-nuqqasijiet identifikati jiġu rimedjati qabel l-adeżjoni.

In-negozjati dwar l-adeżjoni huma avvanzati sew. Ġie definit qafas biex tiġi finanzjata l-adeżjoni tal-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija fir-Rebbiegħa 2004. Dan ippermetta l-għeluq provviżorju tal-kapitoli kollha mal-Bulgarija f'Ġunju 2004. Għar-Rumanija, għad fadal tliet kapitoli x'jiġu negozjati (kompetizzjoni, ambjent, u ġustizzija u affarijiet interni) kif ukoll partijiet mill-Kapitolu 31 (Oħrajn). Huma meħtieġa sforzi addizzjonali b'mod partikolari fil-kapitolu dwar il-kompetizzjoni rigward għajnuna mill-iStat u fil-kapitolu dwar ġustizzija u affarijiet interni rigward kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja, ġlieda kontra l-korruzzjoni u l-aadittività kriminali organizzati u amministrazzjoni organizzata tal-fruntieri .

Skond il-prattika segwita fit-tkabbir ta' qabel, ma jkunx possibbli li jiġi sorpassat ċertu żmien meta jiġi kunsidrat l-aqcuis ġdid fin-negozjati. Minħabba l-istat avvanzat ħafna tan-negozjati u l-proospett li t-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni jiġi ffirmat mill-aktar fis possibbli fl-2005, il-Kummissjoni tqis li n-negozjati għandhom ikopru l-acquis kollu addottat u pubblikat sa l-1 ta' Ottubru 2004. Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija għalhekk għandhom jittrasmettu l-posizzjonijiet tagħhom fuq l-acquis il-ġdid kollu addottat sa dik id-data. Dan jippermetti li xi arranġamenti transitorji jsiru qabel l-aħħar tan-negozjati.

Ir-riżultati tan-negozjati dwar l-adeżjoni f'termini ta' arranġamenti tranżitorji miftiehma u l-addattazzjonijiet tekniċi għall-acquis b'riżultat tat-tkabbir jidħlu fit-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni. Xogħol fuq l-abbozzar ta' dan it-Trattat beda f'Lulju 2004.

Ladarba t-test tat-Trattat ġie miftiehem bejn il-partijiet kollha, skond l-Artikolu 49 tat-Trattat ta' l-UE, il-Kummissjoni għandha toħroġ l-opinjoni tagħha. Jintalab il-kunsens tal-Parlament Ewropew u dan jiġi segwit minn deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill fuq id-dħul tal-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija. L-għan huwa li t-Trattat ta' l-Adeżjoni jiġi ffirmat kmieni kemm jista' jkun fl-2005 sabiex jidħol fis-seħħ fl-1 ta' Jannar 2007. Wara li jiġi iffirmat, it-Trattat jiġi sottomess għar-ratifika mill-iStati Membri preżenti u futuri.

Il-Kummissjoni tqis li l-proċeduri tat-teħid tad-deċiżjonijiet dwar talbiet mill-Bulgarija jew ir-Rumanija għal arranġamenti tranżitorji dwar atti ta' l-istituzzjonijiet addottati bejn l-1 ta' Ottubru 2004 u d-data ta' l-adeżjoni għandhom jiġu streamlined sabiex tiġi żgurata transizzjoni mingħajr problemi fit-teħid ta' deċiżjonijiet qabel u wara l-adeżjoni. Barra minn hekk, huma jingħataw l-istat ta' osservatur attiv fil-Kunsill, f'kumitati presjeduti mill-Kummissjoni kif ukoll f'istituzzjonijiet oħrajn kif xieraq, sa mill-firma tat-Trattat.

Il-Kummissjoni qed tissorvelja mill-qrib kif il-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija qed jilħqu r-rabitiet tagħhom li għamlu waqt in-negozjati. Huwa importanti ħafna li dawn ir-rabtiet jiġu implimentati kif previst. Għalhekk il-Kummissjoni tkompli s-sorveljanza intensiva tagħha wara l-konklużjoni tan-negozjati.

Filwaqt li bniet fuq l-analiżi fir-Rapporti Regolari, il-Kummissjoni ser tissorvelja l-progress billi tagħmel użu intensiv ta' l-istrutturi tal-Ftehim ta' l-Assoċjazzjoni, u l-istrumenti kollha l-oħrajn tas-sorveljanza, li jinkludu peer reviews. Sa minn Novembru 2005, il-Kummissjoni ser toħroġ rapporti ta' sorveljanza komprensivi, li jkopru l-kapitoli kollha ta' l-acquis, amministrazzjoni pubblika, ġudizzjarju u l-ġlieda kontra l-korruzzjoni kif ukoll ir-riżultati miksubafir-riformi ekonomiċi.

Kwalunkwe dewmien jew problemi fir-riforma ekonomika jew fil-kisba tar-rabtiet jiġu senjalati mill-Kummissjoni, b'mod partikolari permezz ta' ittri ta' twissija bikrija fuq livell politiku u rapporti lill-Kunsill fuq bażi tal-proċeduri kurrenti. Għal każijiet ta' nuqqasijiet serji, it-Trattat ta' l-Adeżjoni jkun fih tliet klawsoli ta' salvagwardja bħala mekkaniżmu ta' l-aħħar rikors (affarijiet ġenerali ekonomiċi, suq intern u ġustizzja u affarijiet interni).

Barra minn hekk, peress li ż-żmien bejn tmiem in-negozjati u d-data mistennija ta' l-adeżjoni tal-Bulgarija u r-Rimenija x'aktarx ikun twil, u minħabba n-numru kbir ta' rabtiet li għad iridu jintlaħqu, il-Kummissjoni tqis li t-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni għandu bħala miżura kawtelatorja jkollu salvagwardja speċifika. Din is-salvagwardja, diġà miftiehma fin-negozjati mal-Bulgarija, għandha tiġi estiża għar-Rumanija wkoll. Hija tippermetti lill-Kummissjon tirrakkmanda lill-Kunsill f'kwalunkwe ħin qabel id-dħul fis-seħħ tat-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni i tiġi posposta d-data maħsuba ta' l-adeżjoni tal-Bulgarija jew tar-Rumanija għal sena sa Jannar 2008 jekk hemm evidenza ċara li hemm riskju serju li l-Bulgarija jew ir-Rumanija jkunu manifestament mhux preparati biex jilħqu r-rekwiżiti ta' l-isħubija sa l-1 ta' Jannar 2007 f'numru ta' oqsma importanti.

Sa l-adeżjoni, l-Unjoni tkompli tgħin lill-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija fil-preparazzjonijiet tagħhom għall-isħubija permess ta' l-istrateġija ta' qabel l-adeżjoni. Din tinkludi għajnuna finanzjarja sinjifikanti biex jiġu appoġġjati ż-żewġ pajjiżi biex jieħdu l-passi li jifdal biex jilħqu għal kollox il-kriterji ta' l-adeżjoni.

Il-proċess li tissaħħaħ b'mod konsiderevoli l-kapaċità amministrattiva u ġudizzjarja jkollu bżonn ikompli wara li l-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija jaderixxu għall-Unjoni. Għalhekk il-Kummissjoni tipproponi li tkun disponibbli faċilità speċjali tat-transizzjoni għall-bini ta' l-istituzzjonijiet. F'dan il-kuntest jitkompla l-użu ta' strumenti finanzjati mill-Komunità li ppruvaw l-utilità tagħhom, bħal per eżempju l-ġemellaġġ.

Skond it-Trattat ta' l-UE, il-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija ma jaddottawx il-euro minnufih ma' l-adeżjoni. B'mod simili, dwar l-applikazzjoni ta' l-acquis ta' Schengen, it-tneħħija ta' kontrolli fuq il-fruntieri interni ssir biss xi żmien wara l-adeżjoni u tiġi deċiża għal kull Stat Membru ġdid ladarba jilħaq l-acquis ta' Schengen.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jeħtieġu japplikaw biex jissieħbu maż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea (ŻEE) u l-adeżjoni tagħhom għaż-ŻEE għandha ssir fl-istess ħin ta' l-adeżjoni tagħhom għall-UE. Ftehim oħrajn internazzjonali ikollhom jiġu aġġustati b'riżultat tat-tkabbir malli jiġi ffirmat it-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni.

Ir-Rapporti Regolari ta' din is-sena juru li l-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija għamlu aktar progress fl-implimentazzjoni tal-kriterji ta' Kopenħagen. Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jilħqu l-kriterji politiċi. Filwaqt li jiġi miftakar il-progress li sar miż-żewġ pajjiżi, l-istorja tagħhom fl-implimentazzjoni tar-rabtiet tagħhom, u filwaqt li jitqies ix-xogħol ta' preparazzjoni tagħhom li bħalissa għaddej, il-Kummissjoni tistenna li dawn il-pajjiżi jilħqu l-kriterji ekonomiċi u ta' l-acquis u li jkunu lesti għall-isħubija sa l-1 ta' Jannar 2007.

Il-Kummissjoni ser tagħmel kull sforz biex tilħaq l-għan tal-Kunsill Ewropew li jirnexxielu jagħlaq in-negozjati mal-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija fl-2004, fuq il-bażi tal-merti proprji, bi skop li t-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni jiġi ffirmat mill-aktar fis possibbli fl-2005.

Il-Kunsill Ewropew ta' Brussel f'Ġunju 2004 ikkonkluda li l-Kroazja hija pajjiż kandidat li miegħu n-negozjati dwar l-adeżjoni jibdew bikri fl-2005 u talab lill-Kummissjoni tipprepara strateġija għall-qabel l-adeżjoni għall-Kroazja. Il-Kummissjoni tqis li l-istrateġija rinforzata ta' qabel l-adeżjoni għall-pajjiżi kandidati li ġiet deċiża mill-Kunsill Ewropew fil-Lussemburgu f'Diċembru 1997 għandha tiġi estiża għall-Kroazja. L-elementi ta' din l-istrateġija huma delineati hawn taħt.

Il-proċedura ta' reviżjoni immirata lejn il-progress tal-pajjiżi kandidati lejn l-isħubija jiġu applikati għall-Kroazja sa mill-2005. Dan ifisser li l-Kummissjoni tibda toħroġ Rapporti Regolari dwar il-Kroazja sa mill-ħarifa 2005. Fil-kuntest tal-Proċess ta' l-Istabbilizzazzjoni u l-Assoċjazzjoni, il-Kummissjoni diġà pproponiet Sħubija Ewropea, ibbażata fuq is-sejbiet ta' l-Opinjoni tagħha dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Kroazja għall-isħubija. Dan id-dokument jiggwida l-preparazzjonijiet tal-Kroazja għall-adeżjoni.

Bħala pajjiż kandidat il-Kroazja għandha tibbenefika mit-tliet strumenti finanzjarji ta' qabel l-adeżjoni: Phare għall-bini ta' l-istituzzjonijiet u koeżjoni ekonomika u soċjali, ISPA għall-ambjent u t-trasport, u SAPARD għall-iżvilupp rurali. Il-Kummissjoni tipproponi emendi għar-regolamenti għal dawn it-tliet strumenti finanzjarji ta' qabel l-adeżjoni sabiex jiġi esti l-ambitu tagħhom għall-Kroazja sa mill-1 ta' Jannar 2005. Filwaqt li tqis il-ħtiġiet għal preparazzjoni xierqa tal-Kroazja għall-adeżjoni, il-Kummissjoni tirrakkmanda li jiġu allokati lill-Kroazja 105 miljuni (80 miljun għal Phare u 25 miljun għall-ISPA) fl-2005 u 140 miljun fl-2006 (80 miljun għal Phare, 35 miljun għall -ISPA, u 25 miljun għal SAPARD). Dawn l-ammonti jiġu finanzjati mill-fondi ta' qabel l-adeżjoni disponibbli taħt it-titolu 7 tal-perspettivi finanzjarji kurrenti.Il-Kummissjoni għamlet proposta lill-Kunsill biex toħloq strument ġdid ta' qabel l-adeżjoni (IPA), li minnu l-Kroazja ser tibbenefika mill-2007 il quddiem, li jibni fuq l-istrumenti preżenti ta' qabel l-adeżjoni Phare, ISPA u SAPARD. L-ammonti li għandhom jiġu allokati għall-Kroazja mill-2007 il quddiem għandhom jiġu deċiżi fil-kuntest tal-perspettiva finanzjarja li jmiss.

Il-Ftehim ta' l-Istabbilizzazzjoni u l-Assoċjazzjoni (SAA) iffirmat mal-Kroazja f'Ottubru 2001 issa ġie ratifikat. Sabiex jiġu implimentati l-aspetti relatati man-negozju tas-SAA, daħal fis-seħħ Ftehim Interim f'Marzu 2002. Kunsill, Kumitat u sub-Kumitati ta' l-Istabbilizzazzjoni u l-Assoċjazzjoni, ser jiġu stabbiliti. Il-Kummissjoni tipproponi li l-istrutturi tas-SAA jintużaw mhux biss biex jiġu koperti kwistjonijiet relatati ma' l-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim, iżda wkoll biex iservu bħala fora għall-ispjegazzjoni ta' l-acquis u jiġi rivedut il-progress mill-Kroazja fl-alineament ma' l-acquis skond ir-rabtiet li jsiru fin-negozjati.

Il-ftehim qafas li jippermetti l-parteċipazzjoni tal-Kroazja fil-programmi u l-aġenziji tal-Kroazja għandu jidħol fis-seħħ fl-ewwel nofs ta' l-2005, wara r-ratifika mill-istituzzjonijiet ta' l-UE u l-Kroazja. Il-kontribuzzjoni finanzjarja tal-Kroazja għal kull programm tista' tiġi parjzalment fondata minn Phare.

Minbarra l-elementi msemmija fuq għal strateġija rinforzata ta' qabel l-adeżjoni, il-Kummissjoni tqis li djalogu politiku mtejjeb mal-Kroazja għandu jkomplu biex isir xogħol dwar il-kwistjonijiet enfasizzati fl-Opinjoni. Kwistjonijiet bħal dawn jinkludu r-relazzjonijiet mat-Tribunal Kriminali Internazzjonali għall-ex Jugoslavja, drittijiet tal-minoranza, ripatrijazzjoni tar-rifuġjati, riforma ġudizzjarja, kooperazzjoni reġjonali, u l-ġlieda kontra l-korruzzjoni. B'mod partikolari, il-Kroazja għandha bżonn tibqa' kommessa lejn il-kooperazzjoni reġjonali fil-qafas tal-Proċess ta' l-Istabbilizzazzjoni u l-Assoċjazzjoni għall-Balkani tal-Punent. Il-Kummissjoni ser tissorvelja mill-qrib dawn il-kwistjonijiet f'laqgħat regolari ma' l-awtoritajiet Kroati u żżomm lill-Kunsill infurmat.

Il-Kunsill Ewropew ta' Brussel f'Ġunju 2004 iddeċieda li "qabel in-negozjati mal-Kroazja, il-Kunsill ser jaqbel dwar qafas ġenerali tan-negozjati, filwaqt li jieħu kont sħiħ ta' l-esperjenza tal-ħames proċess tat-tkabbir". Il-Kummissjoni tissuġġerixxi li l-qafas għandu jibni fuq dawn il-prinċipji li ġejjin:

- In-negozjati mal-Kroazja għandhom jiġu gwidati mill-kundizzjonijiet għall-adeżjoni kif definiti fil-Kunsill Ewropew ta' Kopenħagen fl-1993. Dawn il-kundizzjonijiet huma għodda xierqa sabiex jiġi mkejjel kemm hu preparat pajjiż biex jilħaq l-obbligazzjonijiet ta' l-isħubija, u jipprovdu għall-gwidi ċari fil-proċess tar-riforma.

- Progress fin-negozjati ikunu għal kollox dipendenti fuq is-sostenibilità tar-riformi politiċi u fuq li l-Kroazja tosserva l-obbligazzjonijiet tagħha fir-rigward tal-kooperazzjoni reġjonali mal-pajjiżi l-oħrajn ta' l-ex Jugoslavja u obligazzjonijiet oħrajn internazzjonali relatati bħall-kooperazzjoni mal-ICTY.

- Skond it-Trattat ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea u l-Kostituzzjoni għall-Ewropa, il-Kummissjoni ser tirrakkmanda s-sospenzjoni tan-negozjati fil-akż ta' vjolazzjoni graavi u persistenti tal-prinċipji tal-libertà, demokrazija, rispett għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem u l-libertajiet fundamentali u s-sovranità tal-liġi li fuqhom hija fondata l-Unjoni. Il-Kunsill għandu jkun jista' jiddeċiedi dwar tali rakkmandazzjonijiet b'maġġoranza kwalifikata ta' l-iStati Membri.

- In-negozjati ser isiru fuq il-prinċipju tal-merti proprji. Kwalunkwe arranamenti tranżitorji għandhom jiġu limitati fl-ambitu u t-terminu u m'għandhomx ikollhom impatt sinjifikanti fuq il-kompetizzjoni jew il-ħidma tas-suq intern.

- Minnufih wara l-ftuħ formali tan-negozjati ta' l-adeżjoni mal-Kroazja, il-Kummissjoni għandha torganizza proċess formali ta' l-eżaminazzjoni ta' l-acquis, imsejjaħ screening, sabiex jiġi spjegat lill-awtoritajiet Kroati u sabiex jinkisbu indikazzjonijiet preliminari tal-kwistjonijiet li x'aktarx iqumu fin-negozjati.

- Ladarba kapitolu jkun ġie screened, il-Kummissjoni, filwaqt li tibni fuq il-Opinjoni reċenti tagħha dwar il-Kroazja, ser tirrakkmanda li jinfetaħ għan-negozjati sakemm il-Kroazja hija preparata biżżejjed.

- It-trasposizzjoni u implimentazzjoni korretti tal-Kroazja ta' l-acquis li jinkludu applikazzjoni effettiva u effiċjenti permezz ta' strutturi amministrattivi u ġudizzjarji xierqa jiddeterminaw il-pass tan-negozjati.

- Il-Kummissjoni ser tipproponi lill-Kunsill benchmarks għall-għeluq provviżorju ta' kull kapitolu qabel il-ftuħ tan-negozjati taħt dak il-kapitolu. Dawn il-benchmarks jistgħu jirreferu għall-alineament leġislattiv jew għal storjasoddisfaċenti fl-implimentrazzjoni. Dan il-mod kif wieħed joqrob lejn il-kwistjoni ipprova li jirnexxi b'mod partikolari fil-kapitolu tal-kompetizzjoni.

- Il-progress fin-negozjati jiddependi fuq l-ilħuq tal-Kroazja ta' l-irbit taħt il-Ftehim ta' l-Istabbilizzazzjoni u l-Assoċjazzjoni, b'mod partikolari dawk li jirreflettu r-rekwiżiti taħt l-acquis per eżempju fil-qasam tal-kompetizzjoni. Kwalunkwe rbit bħal dan għandu bżonn jintlaħqu għal kollox qabel ma kapitolu jista' jingħalaq provviżorjament.

- Il-Kummissjoni ser tissorvelja bir-reqqa l-progress tal-Kroazja lejn l-adeżjoni bili tuża l-istrumenti kollha disponibbli.

KONKLUżJONIJIET U RAKKMANDAZZJONIJIET

Fid-dawl ta' dan t'hawn fuq, il-konklużjonijiet u r-rakkmandazzjonijiet tal-Kummissjoni huma dawn li ġejjin:

Ir-Rapporti Regolari ta' din is-sena juru li l-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija għamlu aktar progress fl-aħħar sena fl-implimentazzjoni tal-kriterji ta' l-adeżjoni.

Il-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija jilħqu l-kriterji politiċi. Filwaqt li tiftakar il-progress ;o sar minn dawn il-pajjiżi, l-istorjafl-implimentazzjoni tar-rabtiet tagħhom, u filwaqt li qieset ix-xogħol preparatorju tagħhom li għaddej bħalissa, il-Kujmmissjoni tistenna lil dawn il-pajjiżi jilħqu l-kriterji ekonomiċi u ta' l-acquis u li jkunu lesti għall-isħubija sa Jannar 2007.Il-Kummissjoni ser tagħmel kull sforzi biex tilħaq l-għan tal-Kunsill Ewropew li jirnexxielu jagħal in-negozjati mal-Bulgaria u r-Rumanija fl-2004, fuq bażi tal-merti proprji, bi skop li t-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni jiġi iffirmat mill-aktar fis possibbli fl-2005.

Ir-Rapporti Regolari jindikaw numru ta' oqsma fejn hemm bżonn aktar titjib fil-kuntest tal-kriterji politiċi u ekonomiċi u b'relazzjoni ma' l-adozzjoni, l-implimentazzjoni u l-inforzar ta' l-acquis. Dawn għandhom jiġu insegwiti bis-saħħa sabiex jiġu rimedjati n-nuqqasijiet identifikati qabel l-adeżjoni. Sabiex jiġi analizzati il-progress u tiġi faċilitata sħubija li tirnexxi ma' l-Unjoni Ewropea, il-Kummissjoni ser ittejjeb is-sorveljanza u tirraporta regolarment lill-Kunsill. Il-Kummissjoni ser toħroġ sa minn Novembru 2005 rapporti ta' sorveljanza komprensivi kull sena għall-Kunsill u għall-Parlament. Il-Kummissjoni tqis li hemm bżonn li tiġi introdotta salvagwardja speċifika fit-Trattat dwar l-Adeżjoni li tippermetti lilll-Kummissjoni tirrakkmanda lill-Kunsill li tiġi posposta d-data ta' l-adeżjoni jew tal-Bulgarija jew tar-Rumanija għal sena sa Jannar 2008 jekk hemm riskju serju li l-Bulgarija jew ir-Rumanija manifestament ikunu mhux preparati jilħqu r-rekwiżiti ta' l-isħubija sa l-1 ta' Jannar 2007 f'numru ta' oqsma importanti.

Il-Kummissjoni tirrakkmanda li l-istrateġija rinforzata ta' qabel l-adeżjoni tiġi estiża għall-pajjiżi kandidati kif deċiż mill-Kunsill Ewropew fil-Lussemburgu f'Diċembru 1997, kif deskritt hawn fuq.

Il-Kummissjoni tiftakar li l-Kunsill Ewropew iddeċieda li jibda n-negozjati mal-Kroazja fil-bidu ta' l-2005 u tissuġġerixxi li l-qafas tan-negozjati għall-Kroazja, li jibni fuq il-prinċipji indikati f'dan id-dokument, huwa finalizzat għal dak l-iskop.

ANNEX: CONCLUSIONS OF THE REGULAR REPORTS ON BULGARIA AND ROMANIA

Bulgaria

Since the Commission concluded in its 1997 Opinion that Bulgaria fulfilled the political criteria, the country has further consolidated and deepened the stability of its institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. This trend has been confirmed over the past year. Bulgaria continues to fulfil the political criteria.

Tangible progress was made in public administration reform with the adoption of amendments to the Civil service law. The specific structures for co-ordinating European integration continue to function well, and in view of Bulgaria's aim of building a qualified and efficient civil service by the time of accession this progress needs to spread throughout the public administration. Also, interdepartmental coordination should improve. Attention should be given to the legal framework for local and regional administration, which will play an important role in the implementation of the acquis.

Building on important reforms of the judiciary system achieved in recent years, there have been positive developments with regard to the recruitment and appointment of judges. Still, certain key parts of the reform of the judiciary remain to be adopted. The complexity and efficiency of the penal structures, in particular in the pre-trial phase, is a matter of concern. Strong efforts will be necessary to foster Bulgaria's capacity to prosecute organised crime and corruption, which involves further reforms in the structures of the judiciary and of the police.

Bulgaria has implemented several measures in the fight against corruption, but it remains a problem. Renewed efforts are needed, including tackling high level corruption.

Bulgaria continues to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Further progress should be pursued in specific areas to improve their implementation in practice. Comprehensive legislation on anti-discrimination was adopted but the independent body required by the law has not yet been established. The freedom of expression is ensured by law. However, the legal framework regarding libel and defamation by journalists needs to be revised. Efforts to address inadequate living conditions in certain prisons and problems of ill-treatment in custody need to be sustained. Trafficking in human beings is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. A new law on public health should address most of the issues related to the placement of mentally disabled people. The structures responsible for child welfare and their co-ordination with the relevant ministries need to be reinforced.

Efforts have been made in the past years to develop a framework to tackle the problems faced by minorities, but the situation on the ground has not evolved much. Sustained efforts including allocation of appropriate financial resources will be necessary to effectively implement the intentions and to combat in particular anti-Roma prejudice.

The 1997 Opinion already acknowledged the substantial reform efforts undertaken by the Bulgarian authorities to transform their economy. Since the Opinion economic structure and performance have significantly improved. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved soon after the Opinion, profound economic reforms have been carried out over the entire period while the Bulgarian authorities' commitment to the economic requirements of EU accession has been sustained.

Hence, it is concluded that Bulgaria isa functioning market economy. The continuation of its current reform path should enable Bulgaria to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union.

Improvements can be made in sustaining macroeconomic stability and in deepening structural reforms. The current account deficit has widened substantially in 2003 and could, if continuing, warrant a further policy response. The business environment, in particular the efficiency of the administrative and judicial system as well as regulatory procedures, should be further improved to increase Bulgaria's attractiveness for investment. In spite of significant achievements, privatisation still needs to be completed. While the legal framework is largely in place, the actual restructuring and liberalisation of the network industries need to progress further in order to enhance competition and efficiency. The ongoing reduction in unemployment should be further supported by reducing rigidities in labour market regulation.

Since the Opinion, Bulgaria has made good progress in adopting the acquis and more recently, has also made progress in gradually building up the administrative capacity to implement and effectively enforce the acquis.

Over the past year, Bulgaria has made further progress in the vast majority of the chapters of the acquis and is on track to complete the required legislative transposition before the planned date of accession if the current pace of progress is maintained.

Overall, Bulgaria has now achieved a reasonable degree of alignment with the acquis in the large majority of areas. It is also on track in developing adequate administrative capacity to implement the acquis in a considerable number of fields. Bulgaria has established most of the necessary institutional structures. Nevertheless, in some sectors, further efforts and resources are required to strengthen the capacities of these institutions and to ensure their effective functioning. In order to cover the remaining gaps, due attention should be given to the full and timely implementation of the strategies and action plans for the reinforcement of administrative capacity already approved in these areas.

In the field of internal market, Bulgaria has continued to make progress in most areas as regards the free movement of goods in terms of transposition of the acquis and the development of the administrative capacity. However, further efforts are required to develop the administrative capacity to implement the acquis on industrial products and as regards foodstuff and food safety. Mutual recognition clauses are still to be introduced into the Bulgarian legislation falling under the non-harmonised areas. Alignment of the legislation on public procurement needs to be completed. As regards free movement of persons, some progress was made in the field of mutual recognition of professional qualifications but work is still needed on the framework legislation for mutual recognition and with regard to the future co-ordination of social security systems. As regard the right for establishment and the freedom to provide services, efforts are required to unequivocally eliminate the remaining restrictions and discriminatory measures on foreigners despite some corrective actions. As regard financial services, major parts of the acquis on insurance remain to be transposed. In the area of free movement of capital, Bulgaria still has to adopt legislation on capital movements and payment systems. Efforts to improve the framework in the fight against money laundering should be maintained.

As regards company law, particular attention should be paid to the effective enforcement of industrial and intellectual property rights, in particular through strengthening border controls and improving co-ordination between the law enforcement bodies. In the area of competition, Bulgarian has further updated its legislative framework and further strengthened its administrative capacity. Sustained efforts are required in order to continue to improve the quality of its State aid enforcement.

Regarding agriculture, Bulgaria has continued to make good progress in the transposition process. Further strengthening of administrative structures has been noted. However, significant work is still needed in the veterinary field and in the setting up of the paying agency and IACS. With regard to fisheries, legal alignment has taken place according to schedule. However, further progress has to be made regarding the administrative and technical capacity for inspection and control.

As regard transport, Bulgaria has made steady progress in transposing the acquis in most sectors, however administrative capacity should be further strengthened. Further efforts are needed to align the inland waterway legislation. Particular attention should be devoted to improving the maritime safety record and to the building up and reinforcement of the necessary capacities and structures for Port State and Flag State control.

In the area of taxation, Bulgaria's indirect legislation is to a significant extent aligned with the acquis, notably as far as VAT is concerned. Further transposition is required as regards excise duties and direct taxation. Efforts should continue as concerns specifically interconnectivity with EU systems.

On social policy and employment, progress has continued in alignment with the acquis. Further efforts for the effective implementation of the transposed legislation need to be undertaken in particular in the areas of labour law, occupational safety and health, public health, anti-discrimination as well as equal opportunities for women and men. Administrative capacity needs to be strengthened, inter alia with regard to ESF management and implementation.

Regarding energy, Bulgaria is making good progress in its legislative alignment and in its preparation to the internal energy market. The restructuring and privatisation of the energy sector is progressing well but particular efforts are still needed to improve energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. Bulgaria must continue to respect its commitments on nuclear safety, notably as regards closure commitments for certain units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, and to ensure a high level of nuclear safety in its installations.

Although a reasonable degree of alignment with acquis in the telecommunications has been reached, Bulgaria needs to adopt further implementing legislation and ensure that the regulatory body is strengthened.

Concerning regional policy and co-ordination of structural instruments, Bulgaria has made progress notably with regard to establishing the legal framework and designating institutional structures. However, considerable efforts are still needed to improve the administrative capacity in key Ministries and improving the capacity of other relevant bodies, such as the intermediate bodies, and other relevant players both at central and regional level. Priority must also be given to the setting up of efficient and integrated monitoring and evaluation systems as well as to further improving the financial management and control systems. Attention must be paid to observance of an ambitious planning schedule for the National Development Plan and to the full involvement of relevant partner organisations in this process.

With regard to the environment, Bulgaria has achieved a reasonable degree of alignment with the acquis and the necessary administrative structures are in place. However, further strengthening of the enforcement authorities notably at regional and local level is required as well as the provision of adequate financial resources for State and private sector investment.

In the area of consumer and health protection, a reasonable degree of alignment with the acquis has been reached in the area of safety related measures. However, further alignment is particularly needed with regard to the non-safety related measures and Bulgaria should ensure that the administrative structures in place can effectively enforce legislation and carry out market surveillance activities.

In the area of justice and home affairs, further good progress could be noted as regards the management of the future external borders. However, significant further efforts are needed to strengthen the law enforcement capacity and policy formulation in order to step up the fight against organised crime and corruption. Bulgaria needs to press ahead and dedicate adequate resources to fundamental reforms of the police and of the judiciary, including the reform of the pre-trial phase and the implementation of the strategies against crime. Overall, the full and timely implementation of the main strategies and action plans in the area of justice and home affairs, together with the entry into forceof the planned amendments to the legislation on the penal procedure, legal aid, asylum, mediation and forfeiture of criminal assets should address the bulk of the issues covered in this chapter.

Regarding customs, Bulgaria has achieved a high degree of legislative alignment and has improved its administrative capacity. Efforts should continue in the IT area as well as to further improve revenue-collection and controls.

Further progress has been made in strengthening financial control in Bulgaria. More effort is needed to ensure the protection of the EC financial interests and of the euro against counterfeiting, as to well as to further strengthening the administrative capacity to implement sound financial control systems.

Overall, the capacity of the law enforcement and regulatory bodies to ensure a level playing field within the internal market through effective implementation and enforcement of the acquis must be enhanced. The continued reinforcement of the judicial system and administrative structures in certain areas will require particular attention, notably as regards public procurement, competition and justice and home affairs. Bulgaria should devote more efforts and financial resources to make the necessary investments to apply the acquis, notably in agriculture (in particular in the veterinary field), transport and environment. Continued efforts are required to establish the necessary administrative capacity to ensure the sound and efficient management of EU funds, notably the Structural Funds.

In the accession negotiations, all 31 chapters have been provisionally closed. The commitments made in the negotiations are with a view to accession in 2007. Bulgaria is generally meeting the commitments that it has made during the negotiations although delays have been noted in specific areas.

Bearing in mind the progress achieved since the Opinion, the level of alignment and administrative capacity that Bulgaria has achieved at this point in time and its track record in implementing the commitments that it has made in the negotiations, and taking into account their preparatory work in progress, the Commission expects Bulgaria to assume the obligations of membership in accordance with the envisaged timeframe. In the period leading up to accession, Bulgaria needs to continue its preparations, in line with the commitments it has made in the accession negotiations.

Romania

Since the Commission concluded in its 1997 Opinion that Romania fulfilled the political criteria, the country has further consolidated and deepened the stability of its institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. This trend has accelerated over the past year. Romania continues to fulfil the political criteria.

Progress was made to address the need for administrative and judicial reforms. A public administration reform strategy was launched in May 2004, covering the area of civil service reform, decentralisation and deconcentration, and policy co-ordination. A positive start was made to the reform of the civil service. The establishment of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister should help to improve policy coordination and consistency. The use of emergency ordinances was restricted to "extraordinary circumstances", but this has not yet led to a decrease of their use. The laws on the freedom of information and transparency in the legislative process should still be fully implemented. The revision of the Constitution in October 2003 contributed to streamlining the parliamentary process by giving both chambers primary responsibility for different types of legislation. Efforts to improve the policy-making and legislative process should continue. Further efforts are also needed to strengthen local and regional governance with a view to ensuring proper implementation of the acquis at those levels.

The management of court cases and the quality of judgments needs to improve. Official surveys confirm the possibility for the executive to influence the outcome of judicial proceedings. However, organisational and legislative changes introduced in Romania's judicial system should help to make it more independent and efficient. Their implementation on the ground is a matter of priority.

Corruption in Romania continues to be serious and widespread. Romania's anti-corruption legislation is generally well developed, but its ability to curb corruption will depend on the effective implementation of the law. In particular, additional efforts are required to ensure the independence, effectiveness and accountability of the National Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office. It should concentrate its resources on investigating high-level corruption.

Romania continues to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and has made further progress in several areas. The introduction of national standards for child protection services and of strict rules on inter-country adoption, which appear to be in line with the UN Convention on the rights of the child, should further improve the protection of children's rights. As regards freedom of expression, the legal situation of journalists has improved but the economic situation of many mass media organisations remains precarious and further efforts are necessary to guarantee media independence. Although the restitution of agricultural land is almost completed, a more speedy and transparent approach is needed to further the restitution of buildings and religious property. Efforts to address the problems of ill-treatment in custody, trafficking in human beings and prison overcrowding should be sustained.

The Roma Strategy, which is explicitly aimed at addressing discrimination, is being implemented but de facto discrimination against the Roma minority remains widespread. The support for an inclusive approach to education is a positive development. The same encouraging trend has been noted in health care and employment.

The 1997 Opinion already acknowledged the substantial reform efforts undertaken by the Romanian authorities to transform their economy. Since the Opinion economic structure and performance have significantly improved. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved, profound economic reforms have been carried out while the Romanian authorities' commitment to the economic requirements of EU accession has been sustained.

Hence, it is concluded that Romania complies with the criterion of being a functioning market economy. Vigorous implementation of its structural reform programme should enable Romania to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union.

Improvements can be made in sustaining macroeconomic stability and in deepening structural reforms. Priority should be given to preserve the momentum in disinflation and safeguard the sustainability of the external position by maintaining a prudent policy mix and by further reducing the deficit of the broader public sector. To achieve this, significant improvements in enforcing financial discipline, continuous adjustments of energy prices towards cost recovery levels and improved financial performance of public enterprises are vital. Fiscal sustainability needs to be strengthened by advancing expenditure reform and further improving tax compliance. The privatisation process should be accomplished, post-privatisation disputes be settled and non-viable enterprises more actively dismantled. In key sectors, such as energy, mining and transport, perseverance in restructuring and a more manifest strive for privatisation should go hand in hand. Substantial progress in the functioning of the judiciary and the public administration, including an even and predictable application of law, is required to create an enabling business environment with a level playing field.

Since the opinion, Romania has made good progress in adopting the acquis and more recently, has also made progress in gradually building up the administrative capacity to implement and effectively enforce the acquis.

Over the past year, Romania has made further progress in the vast majority of the chapters of the acquis and is on track to complete the required legislative transposition before the planned date of accession if the current pace of progress is maintained.

Overall, alignment with the acquis has reached a fair level in the large majority of areas. The administrative capacity has been strengthened in the majority of areas but there is still room for improvement since not all the necessary institutions are yet in place. In order to cover the remaining gaps, due attention should be given to the full and timely implementation of the strategies and action plans for the reinforcement of administrative capacity already approved in these areas.

In the area of internal market, Romania has continued to make progress with the transposition of legislation in the field of the free movement of goods. However, transposition of the public procurement legislation must be completed. In addition, practices which put Romania's commitment to open and transparent procurement procedures into question should be discontinued. Legislation has been further aligned in the area of free movement of persons, in particular as regards mutual recognition of professional qualifications and free movement of workers. Alignment needs to be completed as regards citizens' rights and administrative and training capacities should be enhanced in general. In particular in the field of financial services, Romania achieved substantial progress in freedom to provide services. Romania should continue to pay attention to the removal of identified barriers against the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services and to the development of the insurance and financial securities markets. While alignment with the acquis on free movement of capital has further improved, outstanding restrictions to capital movements and payments should be removed and the enforcement record of the National Office for the Prevention and Control of Money Laundering needs to be improved.

Romania has continued to make progress in transposing the company lawacquis as such and the acquis concerning the protection of intellectual and industrial property rights. However, the level of enforcement of such rights has not kept pace with this. Romania's legislative alignment on accounting and auditing should be completed. While the Romanian competition legislation is broadly in line with EC anti-trust rules, current proposals needed to complete alignment of the state aid legislation are being prepared. The enforcement record of the Romanian competition authority still needs to be considerably improved in state aid matters. Recent efforts in this respect need to be stepped up. Romania needs to ensure that restructuring aid given to steel companies is in line with the Europe Agreement.

Romania made significant progress to further transpose the agricultural, veterinary and phytosanitary acquis and has strengthened its administrative capacity. However, overall administrative and enforcement capacities should be further enhanced. Particular attention should be paid to reinforcing the SAPARD Agency and to establishing the necessary elements of a functioning IACS. Upgrading plans for non-complaint establishments in the veterinary sector should be introduced with no delay. Steady progress has taken place in the fisheries sector in terms of alignment and administrative capacity. However, sustained efforts are needed to recruit sufficient staff in the Fisheries Inspectorate and provide it with adequate inspection tools. The fishing database should be established.

Romania has continued to make progress with the transposition of the transportacquis and building up the administrative structures in the areas of road, rail and aviation transport. Alignment is fairly advanced in the maritime sector. The technical state of the inland waterway fleet should be improved.

Romania has made some progress in aligning with the acquis on taxation and particular attention should now be paid to completing alignment and strengthening administrative capacity. Transposition of the acquis on social policy and employment has continued. Future efforts should focus on completing legislative alignment in the area of labour law and on strengthening the Labour Inspectorate to ensure proper implementation in the area of health and safety at work. Due attention should be paid to the promotion of social dialogue and to the improvement of the health status of the population, which is well below the EU average. Administrative capacity with regards to ESF management should be strengthened as a matter of priority. Legislative progress in the energy sector should be matched by full implementation and increased administrative capacity, in particular with regard to the internal energy market structures. The restructuring of energy markets process needs to be completed.

Romania has performed steady progress as far as industrial policy is concerned, but the key challenge is its implementation as structural weaknesses limit the capacity for enforcement. Transparency of the privatisation process should be fully ensured. Progress has continued in the area of telecommunications with liberalising the telecommunications market and completing the transposition of the acquis.

As regards regional policy and co-ordination of structural instruments, progress has been made in preparing for the implementation of structural policies with the designation of the Managing and Paying Authorities and establishing their tasks and adoption of the 2004-2006 National Development Plan. Efforts need to be continued to bring the administrative capacity up to the level required in order for Romania to reap full benefits of the structural instruments. Environment is an area where Romania has achieved a good level of alignment with the acquis in most of the sectors, whereas implementation is, in general, still lagging behind. Further transposition should concentrate on completing the alignment in the areas of horizontal legislation, air quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection and a number of other sectors. Implementation of the transposed acquis remains a key challenge and, therefore, requires enhanced efforts. It is of utmost importance that the environmental administration at all levels obtains sufficient resources in order to cope with the increasing recruitment, training and equipment needs. Strategic planning, adequate investment and financing plans also have to remain in the focus of the public services in the field of environment.

Legislative alignment on consumer and health protection is well on track and Romania has made good progress as regards improvement of administrative capacity and the general co-ordination of market surveillance activities. These efforts should be maintained and consumer movement should be strengthened.

Legislative progress has been made in many areas of justice and home affairs and especially so in migration, asylum and judicial co-operation in civil and criminal matters. However, implementation capacity should be significantly strengthened in almost all areas, as should inter-agency co-operation. Many agencies and institutions involved in law enforcement are still affected by staff shortages, which will also require enhanced training capacity. The independence of the judiciary must be ensured on the ground. As regards the fight against corruption, implementation capacity should also be significantly strengthened and the existing legislation should be rigorously enforced. Romania should implement its current plans to fully address the above issues of concern and in particular increase its administrative capacity in the relevant institutions, implement an effective reform of the judicial system, recruits and train the necessary staff and take measures that have a significant impact on corruption.

Limited progress has been made in the area of customs and legislative alignment should be completed.Internal co-ordination improved.Furthermore, any customs duties and charges having equivalent effect with regard to export and import to and from the Community will have to be abolished. Romania has pursued its efforts in the financial control area. However, the legislative framework should be completed in the area of external audit and protection of the Communities' financial interests. Administrative capacity should be strengthened to implement sound financial system.

In a number of important sectors, the overall capacity of the public administration to implement and enforce the newly adopted legislation should be enhanced. Romania has started to address this issue through the comprehensive reform of its public administration. These concerns extend beyond the adoption of the acquis and also apply to the management of EU financial assistance. Furthermore, there are a number of areas where further efforts will be needed to complete the work, in particular as regards company law, competition policy, environment and justice and home affairs, customs and financial control.

In the accession negotiations, 27 chapters have been provisionally closed. Romania is generally meeting the commitments that it has made during the negotiations, although delays have been noted in specific areas.

Bearing in mind the progress achieved since the Opinion, the level of alignment and administrative capacity that Romania has achieved at this point in time and its track record in implementing the commitments that it has made in the negotiations, and taking into account their preparatory work in progress, the Commission expects Romania to assume the obligations of membership in accordance with the envisaged timeframe. In the period leading up to accession, Romania needs to continue its preparations, in line with the commitments it has made in the accession negotiations.

[1] Rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar il-progress tat-Turkija lejn l-adeżjoni, COM(2004) 656.