WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2222/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CAP
Date: 1997-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Central and Eastern European countries, accession to the European Union, common agricultural policy, economic analysis, impact study, reform of the CAP













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91997E2222

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2222/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CAP  


Official Journal C 060 , 25/02/1998 P. 0111 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (30 June 1997)Subject: Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CAPThe countries of Central and Eastern Europe that hope to become members of the European Union represent an agricultural area of 60 million hectares and a population of 105 million. Agriculture in those countries is generally characterized by low productivity and low prices.In preparation for opening negotiations with these 11 countries,1. Has the Commission assessed the impact that accession could have on the Community agricultural sector and in particular on the 1992 reform?2. Has it considered which new policies should be implemented to harmonize prices between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Union in order to prevent crises in the market and indefensible price increases?3. Has it examined in detail the need to provide for a transitional period, especially prior to accession, in order to prevent harmful imbalances in the CAP?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 July 1997)1. Assessment of the impact of accession of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC) to the Union has been considered an important matter by the Commission since the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 declared in favour of their possible accession.In particular the Commission has promoted analytical work on and establishment of statistical collection for the agriculture of these countries. These efforts led to publication of monographs on the agriculture of the ten CEECs and of a composite report in July 1995. Updated versions of the reports will be published before the end of the year.2. In December 1995 the Commission presented to the Madrid European Council a document on possible strategies for developing agricultural relations between the Union and the associated countries with a view to their future accession, known as the 'agricultural strategy document' ((CSE/95/607, 29.11.1995. )). This sets out the guidelines to be followed. Pursuit of the approach adopted in 1992 will raise the competitiveness of European agriculture while articulating it with development of an integrated rural policy.3. The European Council of December 1995 also asked the Commission to prepare- opinions on the CEEC accession applications- an analysis of the impact of enlargement on Community policies, particularly the agricultural and structural policies- a document setting out proposals for facilitating accession of these countries.The Commission indicated several months ago that Agenda 2000 would deal with all of these matters.It is within this framework that questions of pre-accession adjustment by the CEECs and post-accession transitional provisions will be examined by the Commission and the Council.