Council Regulation (EC) No 622/98 of 16 March 1998 on assistance to the applicant States in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, and in particular on the establishment of Accession Partnerships
Date: 1998-03-16
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Central and Eastern Europe, European Union, accession to the European Union, aid system, cooperation policy

20. 3. 98

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 85/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 622/98

of 16 March 1998

on assistance to the applicant States in the framework of the pre-accession
strategy, and in particular on the establishment of Accession Partnerships

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia-
ment (2),

Whereas the conditions to be fulfilled by the associated
central and eastern European States wishing to join the
European Union were set out at the European Council
meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993; whereas the main
difficulties these States are encountering in meeting those
conditions are identified in the course of implementing
the procedure provided for in Article O of the Treaty on
European Union;

Whereas the Heads of State and Government meeting at
the European Council in Amsterdam from 16 to 17 June
1997 reiterated their intention of reinforcing the Union’s
pre-accession strategy to facilitate the applicants’ prepara-
tions
the Commission
presented a package of proposals in this connection en-
titled ‘Agenda 2000';

and whereas

accession,

for

Whereas the European Council
in Luxembourg stated
that the new instrument of Accession Partnerships, to be
established after consultation with the applicant States of
central and eastern Europe, constitutes the key feature of
the enhanced pre-accession strategy in mobilizing within
a single framework all forms of Community assistance to
the applicants;

it would

appropriate

for European
be
Whereas
Community assistance within the framework of
these
Accession Partnerships to focus on the aforementioned
difficulties and be guided by defined principles, priorities,
intermediate objectives and conditions;

(1) OJ C 48, 13. 2. 1998, p. 18.
(2) Opinion delivered on 11 March 1998 (not yet published in

Official Journal).

Whereas these Partnerships, and in particular their inter-
mediate objectives, should assist each State in preparing
for membership within a framework of economic and
social
and in developing its national
programme for the taking up of the acquis as well as a
relevant timetable for its implementation;

convergence

Whereas it is essential to manage the available financial
resources carefully and in line with the priorities arising
the Commission’s opinions on the accession
out of
applications and out of the examination of these opinions
within the Council;

Whereas Community assistance under the pre-accession
strategy should be provided by applying to the States
concerned the aid programmes adopted in accordance
with the provisions of the Treaties; whereas, therefore, the
present Regulation will have no financial implications;

Whereas Community assistance is conditional upon
respect of the commitments contained in the Europe
Agreements and upon progress towards fulfilment of the
Copenhagen criteria;

Whereas the programming of
the financial resources
making up Community assistance will be decided in
accordance with the procedures set out in the Regulations
relating to the corresponding financial
instruments or
programmes;

Whereas it is appropriate for the Council to adopt the
principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and condi-
tions applicable to each individual Accession Partnership
by 15 March 1998, in order to enable the Commission to
establish by the end of 1998 the first of its regular reports
on the progress made by each applicant State;

Whereas the role played by the bodies set up under the
Europe Agreements is central
to ensuring the proper
implementation and follow-up of these Accession Part-
nerships;

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Official Journal of the European Communities

20. 3. 98

Whereas implementing the Accession Partnerships is
likely to help achieve the Community’s objectives;
whereas, the Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of
this Regulation, powers other than those of Article 235,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

As part of the enhanced pre-accession strategy, Accession
Partnerships shall be established for the applicant States
of central and eastern Europe. Each Accession Partnership
shall provide a single framework covering:

(cid:190) the priorities, as defined in the analysis of the situa-
tion in each State, on which preparations for accession
must concentrate in view of
and
economic criteria and the obligations
incumbent
upon a Member State of
the European Union as
defined by the European Council,

the political

(cid:190) the financial resources for assisting each applicant
State to implement the priorities identified during the
pre-accession period.

Article 2

Following a proposal by the Commission, the Council
shall decide by qualified majority on the principles, prior-
ities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in
the individual Accession Partnerships, as they will be
submitted to each applicant State, as well as on subse-
quent significant adjustments applicable to them.

Article 3

implications.
This Regulation shall have no financial
the Community as-
Under the pre-accession strategy,
in the
sistance shall be the assistance provided for
programmes adopted in accordance with the provisions of
the Treaty.

On the basis of decisions taken by the Council pursuant
to Article 2, the programming of the financial resources
of the assistance granted in the framework of the Acces-
sion Partnerships shall be established in accordance with
the procedures set out in the Regulations relating to the
corresponding financial instruments or programmes.

Article 4

Where an element that is essential for continuing to grant
pre-accession assistance is lacking, in particular when the
commitments contained in the Europe Agreement are
not respected and/or progress towards fulfilment of the
Copenhagen criteria is insufficient, the Council, acting by
a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission,
may take appropriate steps with regard to any pre-acces-
sion assistance granted to an applicant State.

Article 5

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of
the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 16 March 1998.

For the Council

The President

J. CUNNINGHAM