Communication from the Commission to the Council - European Strategy for Turkey - The Commission's initial operational proposals
Date: 1998-03-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Türkiye, accession to the European Union, approximation of laws, customs union, financial cooperation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 04.03.1998 
COM(1998) 124  final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 

European Strategy for Turkey 

The Commission's initial operational proposals 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

European Strategy for Turkey 

The Commission's initial operational proposals 

I. 

Introduction 

The  Luxembourg  European  Council  of  12 and  13 December  1997 confirmed  Turkey's 
eligibility  for  accession  to the European  Union  and  that  it will be judged  on the basis of 
the  same criteria  as the other  applicant  States. The  European  Council  considered  that  it 
was important  for a strategy  to be drawn  up to prepare Turkey  for  accession  by bringing 
it closer to the European  Union in every field. This strategy should consist in: 

-  development of the possibilities afforded  by the Ankara Agreement; 

- 

intensification  of the customs union; 

- 

implementation of financial  co-operation; 

-  approximation of laws and adoption of the Union acquis; 

-  participation,  to  be  decided  case  by  case,  in  certain  programmes  and  in  certain 
agencies,  as  provided  for  in  paragraphs  19  and  21  of  the  conclusions  of  the 
Luxembourg European Council. 

Furthermore  Turkey's  involvement  in  the  European  Conference  would  provide  an 
opportunity  for  greater  dialogue  and  cooperation  in  areas  of  common  interest  between 
Turkey  and  the  Member  States.  Turkey  is  therefore  already  involved  in  the  EU 
enlargement process. 

In  this  paper  the  Commission  puts  forward  a work  programme  to  consolidate  and  add 
substance to the customs union and step up co-operation  in the other areas referred  to in 
its  July  1997  communication  on  the  further  development  of  relations  with  Turkey. 
Implementation of some of the proposals could begin in the first half of 1998. 

Implementation  of  some  of  the  proposals  in  this  paper  will  depend  on  the  financial 
resources  available  for Turkey  and notably  on the  implementation  of the Special  Action 
for  Turkey  (ECU  375  million).  This  makes  it  important  for  the  Council  to  adopt  the 
linancial  regulation  for the special  financial  co-operation  arrangements  for Turkey as  fast 
as possible.  Implementation  of  linancial co-operation  is part of the  strategy  put  forward 
by the Luxembourg European Council. 

1 

It  should  be  recalled  that  Turkey  is  also  a  member  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Partnership. 

II. 

1. 

Proposals 

Industrial eo-opcration and investment 

The  promotion  of  co-operation  on 
the 
establishment  of  a suitable  legal  and  administrative  framework,  in  Turkey  is  a  priority. 
The  implementation  of  customs  union  has  to  be  paralleled  by  improvements  in  the 
competitiveness of Turkish  industry, notably SMEs. 

industry  and 

investment, 

including 

Turkey  is  already  involved  in  regional  activities  through  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Partnership; these include programmes  for co-operation between  firms  (Med-Partnership 
and  Med-Interprise)  and  two  working  parties,  one  on  the  legal  and  administrative 
framework  and  one  on  industrial  development,  established  as  a  result  of  the  Brussels 
Declaration on Euro-Mediterranean industrial co-operation (May 1996). 

Bilateral  activities  could  be  added  to the regional  activities planned  under  this  heading. 
Activities  for bilateral  promotion  of industrial  co-operation  are already planned  for  1998 
(they  include  the  EU-Turkey  Business  Seminar  and  EU-Turkey  Business  Partnership 
programmes). 

There will be discussion  with Turkey during the first  half of the year of the advantages of 
and opportunities  which  its industry  might derive  from  the  following  activities  to help it 
get the most out of the single market and improve its competitiveness: 

Access  to  the  single  market:  assistance  with  selling  up  the  necessary 
(laboratories  and  networks), 
certification  and  quality-control 
provision  of 
that  purpose,  pilot/demonstration 
programmes for firms (individual or in groups). 

instruments 
for 

technical  assistance 

Innovation  and  information  technology:  transfer  of  technology,  exchange  of 
information  on  best  practice,  technical  assistance  for  the  establishment  of 
technology-transfer  centres  and  networks, technology  demonstration  projects  for 
firms (individual or in groups). 

Assistance for the development of the private sector: expert services needed to 
draw  up  projects  for  the  diversification  of  industry,  creation  of  companies, 
improving 
and 
the 
encouragement of co-operation. 

financial  environment, 

for  entrepreneurs 

training 

In addition,  the Commission  sees it as being  in the interest  of the two parties  to set  up a 
mechanism  for  dialogue  on  greater  liberalisation  of  movements  of  capital  between  the 
Community  and  Turkey  as  fast  as  possible.  Among  the  main  aims  of  the  mechanism 
would  be  to  check  whether  such  liberalisation  was  compatible  with  the  commitments 
made by the two parties under the OECD Code of Liberalisation  of Capital  Movements. 
It would also be made responsible for discussing investment-protection  issues. 

2. 

Agriculture 

New  negotiations with  Turkey to achieve a reciprocal  improvement  in preferential  market 
access  could  start  in  the  second  half  of  1998.  The  negotiations  should  aim  to  produce  a 
balance  between  reciprocal  concessions  and  standstill  on duties. 

Moreover,  Turkey  will  need  to  adjust  its  agricultural  policy  to  encompass  Ihe  Common 
Agricultural  Policy  measures  needed  to establish  free  movement  of  agricultural  products, 
an  aim  that  the  European  Community  and  Turkey  set  themselves  in  the  Ankara 
Agreement  and  the Decision  on  Customs Union.  Though  it recognised  that  little  progress 
had  been  made  in  this  area,  the communication  of  15 July  1997 proposed  that  Turkey  be 
encouraged 
the 
the  Community  acquis  while 
characteristics  of  agriculture  in  the  country.  To  that  end,  the  Commission  proposed  a 
three-stage  process based  on the approach  used  for the  CEEC. 

taking  account  of 

transpose 

to 

The  first  stage  would  involve  the  Commission  providing  the  Turkish  authorities  with  an 
inventory  of  major 
legal  acts  connected  with  the  various  aspects  of  the  market 
organisations  and  health  rules  and  with  details  of  the  instruments  and  entities  needed  for 
administration.  Turkey  would  provide  the  Commission  with  the  details  needed  to 
understand  its own  agricultural  policy. 

The  second  stage  would  bring  discussion  of  the  various  aspects  and  sectors  of  the  CAP 
and  of Turkish  agricultural  policy  in greater  depth. 

The  third  stage  would  involve  preparing  a summary  of the  differences  between  the  CAP 
and Turkish  agricultural  policy  in the various  sectors. 

At  the  end  of  this  process,  Turkey  would  be  asked  to  put  to  the  Community  a  work 
programme  for adopting the Community  acquis. 

The  first  stage  of  the  process  could  begin  in  the  second  half  of  1998.  The  detailed 
discussion  sessions could  follow  once the exchange of information  had  taken  place. 

Community  financial  and  technical  assistance  is  an  important  factor  in  the  restructuring 
of Turkish  agriculture  and the aligning of the country's  agricultural  policy on the CAP. In 
that  connection,  Turkey  should  supply  the  Commission  with  a  list  of  priority  measures. 
Once the list  had  been  discussed,  a technical  assistance programme  could  be drawn  up. 

3. 

Services 

On the basis of the guidelines  of the communication  of  15 July  and  discussions  that  have 
taken  place  in the Council, the Commission  is willing  to begin  exploratory  talks with  the 
Turkish  authorities  in March  1998. Draft  negotiating directives could  go to the Council  in 
the second  half of the year. 

4. 

Greater  substance  for the customs  union 

4.1 

Turkey's  integration  into the pan-European  rules of origin  system 

The  Commission's 
in  the 
rules-of-origin  cumulation  system  for  industrial  goods  operating  between  the 
Community,  EFTA  and the CEEC  are as  follows: 

intentions  with  regard  to  Turkey's  involvement 

during  1998,  the  Commission  will  take  advantage  of  meetings  with  the 
associated  countries  (customs  subcommittee,  directors-general  of  customs 
to  react 
administrations,  Association  Committees) 
favourably 
the 
to  approaches  by 
negotiation  of  free-trade  agreements  with  them  pursuant  to  Turkey's 
obligations  under  the  Decision  on  Customs  Union; 

to  request 
the  Turkish  authorities  regarding 

them 

by  mid-1998,  the  Commission  will  prepare  proposals  (fourteen  in  total) 
for amending the origin  protocols  in the agreements  between  the  European 
Union  and  the  countries  involved  in  the  cumulation  system  to  include 
Turkey. 

Turkey  should  thus actually  be  in the cumulation  system  from  1 January  1999. 

4.2 

Support  for Turkey's  participation  in European  transit  arrangements 

With  regard  to Turkey's joining  the Transit  and  Single  Administrative  Document 
Conventions, the Commission  would point  to the favourable  decision  made on  the 
matter  at  the  April  1997  Association  Council  meeting.  In  1998,  the  Commission 
will  continue  to  provide  technical  assistance  to  prepare  Turkey  to  join,  while 
working  in  parallel  on  the  completion  of  transit  reform  (and  computerisation)  in 
the European  Union. 

4.3 

Public  procurement 

Commitments  regarding  public  procurement  were  made  by  both  parties  in  the 
Decision  on  Customs  Union.  The Commission  proposed  in  its  communication  of 
15 July  1997  that  negotiations  be  opened.  The  plan  is  for  exploratory  talks  with 
Turkey  to  begin  in  the  first  half  of  1998.  The  two  parties  will  look  at  the 
advantages  of  three  options:  a  bilateral  agreement  between  them,  Turkey  joining 
the  WTO's  Agreement  on  Government  Procurement  and  alignment  of  Turkish 
legislation  on that of the  Community. 

4.4 

Approximation  of  legislation 

that  a 
In  its  communication  of  15  July  1997,  the  Commission  proposed 
programme  of  technical  assistance  and  administrative  co-operation  be  set  up  to 
finish  the  approximation  of  legislation  in  the  areas  covered  by  the  customs  union 
and  to  enforce  that  legislation  in  Turkey.  The  Commission  will  draw  up  the 
following  measures: 

In  areas  connected  with  the  customs  union  which  are  not  yet  covered  by 
close  co-operation,  informal  groups  bringing  together  the  appropriate 
departments  of the  Commission  and  the Turkish  administration  will  be  set 
up.  The  groups  will  look  at  the  progress  made  by  the  Turkish  authorities 
in  the  approximation  of  legislation  and  will  provide  a  framework  for 
directing  and  providing  momentum 
implementation.  Groups  for 
whatever  types  of  technical  legislation  referred  to  in  Association  Council 
Decision  2/97 which  Turkey  has adopted  could  be  set up  in the  first  half  of 
1998. 

for 

Where  approximation  is  already  advanced,  the  Turkish  authorities  may 
request  that  seminars  be  organised  in  the  country  to  discuss  the  detail  of 
applying the  Community  arrangements  transposed  into the Turkish  system 

4 

and  the  implications  for  economic  operators.  The  seminars  would  be 
attended  by  representatives  of  the  Turkish  administration  and  Turkish 
trade  associations. 

the  Turkish  authorities' 

At 
the 
departments  of  the  Commission  may  be  organised  on  an  as-and-when 
the 
basis  for  Turkish  administration  experts  in  charge  of  applying 
legislation. 

request,  training  courses  within 

Any  similar  activities  (e.g.  a programme  of technical  assistance  regarding 
the  protection  of  intellectual,  industrial  and  commercial  property)  will  be 
considered  by the Commission  at the Turkish  authorities'  request. 

4.5 

Closer  technical  consultations 

The  communication  proposed  that  the  mechanism  for  Community-Turkey 
consultation  in  areas  connected  with  the  customs  union  be  strengthened,  and  the 
Commission  plans  to  discuss  with  Turkey  in  the  first  half  of  1998  which  groups 
of  experts  and 
the 
Commission  with  its  implementation  responsibilities)  could  involve  Turkish 
representatives  in their  work. 

(the  committees  which  assist 

technical  committees 

the  Community's 

Special  attention  will  be  paid  to  the  groups  of  experts  set  up  for  informal 
discussion  of 
(on  chemicals  and 
technical 
pharmaceuticals,  for  example). Moreover,  in line with the recommendations  made 
by  the  Association  Committee  last  April,  the  Commission  will  put to the  Council 
in  the  first  half  of  1998  a  proposed  Association  Council  Decision  on  allowing 
Turkish  experts  to  take  part 
in  the  work  of  the  Standards  and  Technical 
Regulations  Committee  (set  up by  Directive  83/189/EEC)  insofar  as necessary  for 
the  functioning  of the customs  union. 

legislation 

A  mechanism  for  Community-Turkey  dialogue  on  commercial  policy  issues  will 
be set  up in the  first  half of  1998. 

In  the  field  of  anti-dumping  measures,  the  Commission  set  up 
improved 
preferential  information  and  consultation  arrangements  based  on  the  procedures 
for the CEEC  following  the April  1997 Association  Council  meeting. 

4.6 

Alignment  with Common  Commercial  Policy 

With  regard  to  Turkey's  concluding  the  preferential  agreements  referred  to  in 
Article  16  of  the  Decision  on  Customs  Union,  a  number  have  already  been 
negotiated.  Where  necessary,  the  Commission  could  provide  Turkey  with 
political  and  technical  support  for  the  agreements  which  remain  to  be  concluded 
(these 
the  Maghreb  and  Mashreq 
countries). 

include  Bulgaria,  Poland,  Slovenia  and 

4.7 

Outward  processing  of  textiles 

The  Commission  notes  that  the  problems  which  Turkey  mentioned  in  connection 
with  outward  processing  of  textiles  have  already  been  partially  addressed  by  the 
elimination  (dating  from  1  January  1998) of Community  quotas  for the CEEC  and 
most  Mediterranean  countries.  They  will  shortly  be  entirely  resolved  in  the  case 
5 

of  Turkey's  traditional  trading  partners  when  Turkey  is  brought  into  the  pan-
European  origin-cumulation  system.  Should  Turkey  wish  to  develop  outward 
processing  arrangements  with  non-member  countries  other  than  the  CEEC  or 
those  of  the  Mediterranean,  the  Commission  is  prepared  to  discuss  appropriate 
solutions with it. 

5. 

Dialogue on  macroeconomics 

An  inaugural  meeting  could  take  place  by  the  end  of  the first half  of  1998; its  content 
would  be  discussed  first  with  Turkey.  The  dialogue  would  cover  matters  of  common 
interest. These could include the economic outlook  for Turkey and the EU and the impact 
on Turkey of the introduction of the euro. 

6. 

Telecommunications and the information  society 

Dialogue between the Community  and Turkey on regulatory  matters could  begin  in the 
first  half  of  1998.  The  aim  would  be  to  approximate  Turkish  telecommunications 
legislation  with  that  of  the  Community.  Assistance  in  achieving  that  aim  could  be 
provided in the form of the services of experts, exchanges of officials  or training. 

Support  in developing a strategy to bring Turkey  into the information  society could  also 
be  given  from  the  first  half  of  1998.  There  would  be  discussions  between  the 
Commission  departments and  the appropriate  entities  in Turkey  (including  TUBITAK). 
These discussions would enable specific activities to be identified. 

During the first half of  1998, the scope of the European  investigation  of the  information 
society (ESIS project) will be expanded to include Turkey. 

The  Commission  will  begin  discussions  with  Turkey  on  the  way  to  extend  the  Trans-
European  Networks  to that  country  once the Commission  communication  on  extending 
the Trans-European  Networks, which is currently being prepared, has been adopted. 

7. 

Co-operation in science and technology research 

Under  the  Community's  fourth  framework  programme  of  activities  in  the  field  of 
research,  technological  development  and  demonstration  (1994-98),  Turkey,  as  a 
European  non-member  country,  can  take  part  on  a  project-by-project  basis  in  all  the 
specific  programmes under Actions I, III and IV, but cannot draw on the funds  allocated 
to  them.  Turkey  is  also  fully  eligible  for  Action  II  (INCO programme),  from  which  it 
receives Community  financing. 

Provision  will  be  made  for  Turkey  to  lake  part  on  a project-by-project  basis  in  all  the 
specific programmes of the fifth R&TD framework  programme (1998-2002), on the same 
terms  as  apply  to  the  fourth  programme.  In  addition,  Action  II  of  the  fifth  programme 
(INC02)  includes for the first time an activity targeting co-operation with Mediterranean 
partner  countries.  Turkey  will  be  able  to participate  fully,  and  will  receive  Community 
financing to do so. 

Dialogue  on  Euro-Mediterranean  science  and  technology  policy  also  takes place  within 
the Euro-Mediterranean  Monitoring Committee for  S&T Co-operation, on which Turkey 
is  officially  represented.  The  work  of this  Committee,  which  was  set  up  as  part  of  the 
Barcelona  process,  lead  to  the  identification  of  specific  activities  and  provide  ongoing 

information  on  the  planning  and  implementation  of  the  framework  programme  as  a 
whole. 

K. 

Co-operation on environmental matters 

Exploratory  contacts  between  the Commission  and  Turkey  in October  1997 produced  a 
list  of  areas  of  co-operation  on  environmental  matters.  There  was  a  focus  on 
strengthening  institutions  and  developing  human  resources  (with  the  Environment 
Ministry  and  its  local  offices,  the  national  sustainable  development  committee  and  the 
environment and development observatory). Turkey also expressed interest in training to 
evaluate  environmental  dangers,  environment  auditing  at  national  and  local  level  and 
integrated pollution prevention  and monitoring. It also requested  special assistance with 
drawing  up  a national  action  plan  on  climate  change,  a national  inventory  of  chemical 
substances and cooperating with the European  Environment Agency (particularly through 
the establishment  of a national database). Other activities could be put in place as part of 
regional co-operation  in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. 

It will be possible to produce a timetable  for co-operation  in the first half of  1998, taking 
into  account 
the  (Commission-financed)  study  of  the  current  state  of  Turkey's 
environmental  rules and legislation, which  is in progress. 

The  Commission  attaches  particular  importance  to  approximation  of  environmental 
legislation and rules, and proposes to establish a framework  to track this process once the 
results of the study referred to above are available. 

9. 

Co-operation  in transport 

In the context of the development of transport infrastructure,  the Pan-European Transport 
Corridors nos. IV and X extend to Istanbul (via Sofia). Turkey participates in discussions 
in  this  framework.  Moreover,  Turkey  falls  within  the  geographical  scope  of  two  of  the 
Pan European Transport Areas (PETrAs) - that of the Black Sea and of the Mediterranean 
basin - adopted  at the Third  Pan-European  Conference of Transport  Ministers in Helsinki 
in  June  1997.  Preparatory  work  on  developing  these  two  regional  transport  networks  is 
currently  underway and we expect  Turkey to participate in both these initiatives. 

In  the  field  of  maritime  transport,  Turkey  is  an  active  participant  and  beneficiary  in 
maritime transport projects  financed  under the regional programme of MEDA. 

In  the  aviation  field,  the  Commission  has  proposed  holding  exploratory  talks  on  air 
transport  with  Turkey,  as  it  has  with  other  countries  in  the  region,  in  preparation  for 
future  negotiations on a possible air transport agreement. 

In  the  field  of  global  navigation  and  positioning,  the  Commission  is  developing  co 
operation  with  its  Mediterranean  partners,  including  Turkey,  in  order  to  optimise  the 
navigation  signals  in  the  region  and  to  enable  satellite  navigation  users to  benefit  from 
improved transport safety and  efficiency. 

10. 

Co-operation  in energy 

Co-operation  in the field of energy should  facilitate  the adaptation  of Turkish  legislation 
to that  of the  EC in order to create a favourable  framework  for direct  investment.  In this 
context, the ratification  by Turkey of the Energy Charter Treaty is particularly  important. 

7 

Taking into account the geographical position of Turkey, special attention will be paid to 
its participation  in energy interconnection  networks (TEN). 

11. 

Co-operation on consumer policy and protection of consumer health 

The  two  parties  may  begin  discussions  in  the  first  half  of  IWX  to  evaluate  Turkey's 
situation  and  set  up early-warning  systems  for  industrial  goods and  foodstuffs  (need  for 
financial and  technical  assistance,  staff  training,  etc.).  They may  also  set  oui  an  overall 
strategy  for  the approximation  of consumer-protection  legislation. A first step would  be 
to establish an inventory of Turkish legislation in this  field. 

Financial  assistance  for  Tukoder,  a  consumers'  association,  has  already  been  provided 
for. Other major Turkish consumers' associations may also receive EU assistance. 

12. 

Regional and cross-border co-operation 

Turkey's  involvement  in the regional  co-operation  schemes adopted  as part of the Euro-
Mediterranean  Partnership and decentralised co-operation programmes will be stepped up 
wherever possible. 

(  o-opcration projects involving  Turkey and other countries in the Black Sea region could 
be  set  up  in  the  fields  referred  to  in  the  Commission  communication  on  Black  Sea 
regional co-operation (COM(97)597 final of 14 November 1997). 

13. 

Involvement in Community  programmes 

The Luxembourg European Council proposed that Turkey be involved (on a case-by-case 
basis)  in  certain  Community  programmes  and  agencies.  This  would  be  subject  to 
conditions  similar  to  those  applying  to  the  CEEC.  In  the  first  half  of  1998,  the 
Commission intends to put to the Council a proposal  for a decision to be adopted by the 
Community  and  Turkey.  It  would  list  the  areas  in  which  such  involvement  would  be 
possible. 

Once  this  decision  has  been  adopted,  the  arrangements  for  Turkey's  participation  in  a 
particular  programme  will  have  to  be  negotiated  and  the  subject  of  a  decision  of  the 
Association  Council.  Where  necessary,  a  modification  of  the  basic  regulation  for  a 
particular programme to include  Turkey as a beneficiary  country will be proposed. 

14. 

Institutional co-operation and political dialogue 

The Commission  stresses the importance  of  implementing  the institutional  co-operation 
and political dialogue provided for in the Association Council resolution of October 1995 
and  of  financing  individual  activities  in  the  field  of  justice  and  home  affairs.  The 
Commission places special emphasis on the need for active co-operation with Turkey on 
immigration.  In  that  connection,  the  general  affairs  Council  of  26  January  adopted  an 
action plan on the recent influx into the EU of people from Iraq and neighbouring areas. 

15. 

Co-operation  in the field of human rights and humanitarian issues 

In  the  field  of  human  rights,  there  are  already  ECU  3  million  of  Commission 
commitments  for  1998  projects.1  The  priorities  selected  are:  the  status  of  women;  the 
rights  and  protection  of  the  child;  information,  education  and  training;  boosting 
management  capabilities of NGOs. Among the recipients of Commission  grants were the 
Umut  Eoundation,  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Child  Abuse  and  Neglect,  the 
Turkish  Democracy  Toundalion,  the  World  Academy  for  local  government  and 
democracy,  Ihe  Antalya  Bar  Association  and  the  Helsinki  Citizens'  Assembly  (Turkey 
Branch). 

The Commission will continue the work of identifying  and implementing projects  in the 
field of human  rights  and humanitarian  issues with  Turkish NGOs in  1998. In the more 
specific  area of co-operation with the Turkish government, the Commission has prepared 
a  preliminary  draft  co-operation  programme.  It  focuses  on  training  Interior  Ministry 
officials  and  police  forces.  The  Commission  intends  to  discuss  it  with  the  Turkish 
authorities in the first half of 1998. 

Also  in  the  first  half  of  1998,  the  Commission  proposes  to  establish  a  working  party 
(which  will  hold  its  meetings  in  Turkey  or  in  Brussels  as  the  need  arises)  to  discuss 
humanitarian  issues. 

III.  Conclusions 

The proposals contained  in this paper demonstrate the European  Union's commitment to 
developing a strategy to prepare Turkey for accession. 

In  that  connection,  the  Commission  sees  it  as  particularly  important  that  work  with 
Turkey on the following  issues should go ahead in the first half of 1998: 

intensifying  industrial co-operation and stimulating investment; 

support for transposition of the acquis in the field of agriculture; 

exploratory talks aimed at an agreement on services; 

giving  greater  substance  to  the  customs  union  through  technical  assistance  and 
administrative co-operation; 

improving  the  machinery  for  consultation  between  the  two  parties  in  areas  of 
direct significance to the operation of the customs union; 

exploratory talks on opening up public procurement; 

establishment  of  a  macroeconomic  dialogue,  notably  covering  greater 
liberalisation of movements of capital; 

cf.  Report  on the evolution  of relations  with Turkey  since the entry  into force  of the customs union 
(COM( 1998) 147) 

Community  assistance  to help Turkey  take over the Community  acquis  in sectors 
such  as  the  environment,  telecommunications,  consumer  policy  and  consumer 
protection; 

establishment  of the mechanisms  needed  to enable Turkey  to become  involved  in 
certain Community  programmes and agencies; 

greater  institutional  co-operation  and  political  dialogue,  in  line  with  Ihe  October 
1995  resolution. 

These  initial  proposals  will  be  followed  by  others  to  be  developed  by  the  Commission 
following  further discussions with the Turkish authorities. 

The  implementation  of  financial  co-operation  is  part  of  the  strategy  proposed  by  the 
Luxembourg  European  Council.  The Commission  wishes  to draw  attention  to the  urgent 
need  for  the  Council  to  adopt  the  financial  regulation  for  the  special  financial  co 
operation  arrangements  for  Turkey  as  fast  as  possible,  as  this  will  enable  a 
comprehensive  and consistent strategy  for Turkey to be implemented. 

10 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98)  124 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

11  06  02 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-98-143-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-31875-2 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

H