2002/89/EC: Council Decision of 28 January 2002 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Lithuania
Date: 2002-01-28
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU aid, Lithuania, accession to the European Union, cooperation policy, enlargement of the Union

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 28 January 2002

on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession
Partnership with Lithuania

(2002/89/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community;

Having regard to 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
and in
the
particular to Article 2 thereof,

establishment of Accession Partnerships (1),

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

The Luxembourg European Council
the
Accession Partnership is a new instrument and the key
feature of the enhanced pre-accession strategy.

stated that

Regulation (EC) No 622/98 sets out that the Council is
to decide, by a qualified majority and following a
from the Commission, on the principles,
proposal
conditions
priorities,
contained in the individual Accession Partnerships, as
they are submitted to each applicant State, as well as on
subsequent significant adjustments applicable to them.

intermediate

objectives

and

Community assistance is conditional on the fulfilment of
essential elements, and in particular on the respect of
the commitments contained in the Europe Agreements
and on progress towards fulfilment of the Copenhagen
criteria. Where an essential element
the
Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal
from the Commission, may take appropriate steps with
regard to any pre-accession assistance.

is lacking,

The Luxembourg European Council decided that
the
the Accession Partnership and
implementation of
progress in adopting the acquis will be examined in the
Europe Agreement bodies.

regular
analysis on Lithuania’s preparations

report presents an
The 2001 Commission’s
objective
for
membership and identifies a number of priority areas
for further work.

(6)

(7)

In order to prepare for membership, Lithuania should
continue to update its national programme for the
adoption of the acquis. This programme should set out a
timetable for achieving the priorities and intermediate
objectives established in the Accession Partnership.

Lithuania needs to ensure that the appropriate legal and
administrative structures needed for the programming,
coordination, management, control and evaluation of EC
pre-accession funds are in place,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 622/98,
the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions
in the Accession Partnership for Lithuania are set out in the
Annex hereto, which forms an integral part of this Decision.

Article 2

The implementation of
the Accession Partnership shall be
examined in the Europe Agreement bodies and by the
appropriate Council bodies to which the Commission shall
report regularly.

Article 3

This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 28 January 2002.

For the Council

The President

J. PIQU(cid:201) I CAMPS

(1) OJ L 85, 20.3.1998, p. 1.

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ANNEX

1.

Introduction

At its meeting in Luxembourg in December 1997, the European Council decided that the Accession Partnership
would be the key feature of the enhanced pre-accession strategy, mobilising all forms of assistance to the candidate
countries within a single framework. In this manner, the Community targets its assistance towards the specific
needs of each candidate so as to provide support for overcoming particular problems with a view to accession.

The first Accession Partnership for Lithuania was decided in March 1998. As provided for in Regulation (EC) No
622/98 (Article 2), the Accession Partnership was updated a first time in December 1999, taking into account
further developments in Lithuania. The present revision is based on a proposal by the Commission following
consultation with Lithuania, and draws on the analysis of the Commission’s 2001 regular report on progress made
by Lithuania towards accession.

2. Objectives

The purpose of the Accession Partnership is to set out in a single framework the priority areas for further work
identified in the Commission’s 2001 regular reports on the progress made by Lithuania towards membership of the
Union, the financial means available to help Lithuania implement these priorities and the conditions which will
apply to that assistance.

the acquis prepared by Lithuania,

The Accession Partnership provides the basis for a number of policy instruments which will be used to help the
candidate States in their preparations for membership. These include, inter alia, the updated national programme
the
for the adoption of
pre-accession economic programme, the pre-accession pact on organised crime as well as the national development
Plans, the rural development plans, a national employment strategy in line with the European employment strategy,
and sectoral plans necessary for the participation in the Structural Funds after membership and for the
implementation of ISPA and Sapard before accession. Each of these instruments is different in nature and is
prepared and implemented according to specific procedures and may be supported by pre-accession aid. They are
not an integral part of this Partnership but the priorities they contain will be compatible with it.

the pre-accession fiscal surveillance procedure,

3. Principles

The main priority areas identified for each candidate State relate to their ability to take on the obligations of
meeting the Copenhagen criteria which state that membership requires:

(cid:151) that the candidate State has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human

rights and respect for and protection of minorities,

(cid:151) the existence of a functioning market economy, as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and

market forces within the Union,

(cid:151) the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic

and monetary union.

At its meeting in Madrid in 1995, the European Council stressed the need for the candidate States to adjust their
administrative structures
to ensure harmonious operation of Community policies after accession and at
Luxembourg, in 1997, it stressed that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is necessary, but not in itself
sufficient; it is necessary to ensure that it is actually applied. The Feira and Gothenburg European Councils in 2000
and 2001 respectively confirmed the vital
importance of the applicant countries’ capacity to implement and
enforce the acquis, and added that this required important efforts by the applicants in strengthening and reforming
their administrative and judicial structures.

4. Priorities and intermediate objectives

The Commission’s regular reports have highlighted, besides the progress already made, the extent of the efforts
which still have to be made in certain areas by candidate States to prepare for accession. This situation requires the
definition of intermediate stages in terms of priorities, each to be accompanied by precise objectives to be set in
collaboration with the States concerned, the achievement of which will condition the degree of assistance granted
and the progress of the negotiations under way with Lithuania. The priorities listed in the revised Accession

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Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Lithuania can complete or take them
substantially forward over the next two years (2002 to 2003). Within this list, issues that require particularly
urgent action have been highlighted as such. The progress made in meeting the priorities of the 1999 Accession
Partnership is assessed in the 2001 regular report. This assessment has been used in formulating the priorities for
the current Partnership.

Lithuania submitted an updated version of its national programme for the adoption of the acquis (NPAA) in June
2001. The NPAA sets out a timetable for achieving priorities and intermediate objectives, based on the 1999
Accession Partnership, as well as necessary administrative structures and financial resources.

The Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Lithuania’s membership preparations. Lithuania will
nevertheless have to address all issues identified in the 2001 regular report. It is also important that Lithuania
fulfils the commitments of legislative approximation and the implementation of the acquis in accordance with the
commitments made under the Europe Agreement, and in the context of the negotiation process. It should be
recalled that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is not in itself sufficient; it will also be necessary to ensure
that it is actually applied to the same standards as those which apply within the Union. In all of the areas listed
below there is a need for credible and effective implementation and enforcement of the acquis.

Drawing on the analysis of the Commission’s regular report, the following priorities and intermediate objectives
have been identified for Lithuania. These priorities are presented in accordance with the structure of the regular
report (1).

Political criteria

D e m o c r a c y a n d t h e r u l e o f l a w

(cid:151) consolidate a modern, professional and efficient civil service that is independent from undue influences,
notably by ensuring further training, an appropriate level of remuneration and greater interdepartmental
coordination,

(cid:151) complete judicial reform in particular through the adoption of the new Law on Courts; duly implement the
Civil Code and the Law on Administrative Court Proceedings; adopt the new Code of Criminal Procedures and
ensure its proper implementation as well as that of the Criminal Code; continue training of specialised judges
improve working conditions and infrastructure to
and prosecutors including in acquis (cid:151) related matters;
ensure the proper functioning of courts, in particular as regards Administrative Courts and Regional Courts;
ensure proper implementation of the law on legal aid so as to widen the availability of legal aid,

(cid:151) further strengthen the fight against corruption by adopting and starting implementation of the anti-corruption
strategy; adopt and start implementing a new law on corruption prevention, complete and start implementing
the Code of Ethics for Civil Servants; ratify the relevant international anti-corruption conventions.

Economic criteria

(cid:151) take measures to reduce unemployment,

in particular long-term unemployment, notably by promoting
adequate re-training and improving the business environment with a view to attract green-field investments
and enhance the creation of new enterprises,

(cid:151) complete the large-scale privatisation process,

including the remaining State-owned bank and the energy

utilities,

(cid:151) ensure implementation and enforcement of the enterprise restructuring law and the legislation on bankruptcy,
in particular by continuing training efforts in the fields of enterprise risk assessment and evaluation of
enterprise restructuring plans,

(cid:151) implement the strategies adopted for the development of industries and small and medium-sized enterprises

(SMEs) and continue improvement of business support infrastructure,

(1) The order of presentation is that used as from the 2000 regular reports.

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(cid:151) complete the remaining part of land titling and registration and further support land market development;

consolidate small land tenures.

(cid:151) continue with the social security reform in a sustainable way for public finances, with a view to ensuring

medium-term sustainability of public finances.

Ability to assume the obligations of membership

F r e e m o v e m e n t s o f g o o d s

(cid:151) complete the process of the transposition and effective implementation of all (cid:145)New approach(cid:146), directives and
traditional sectoral legislation, in particular abolish pre-marketing authorisation on detergents and foodstuffs,
and gradually replace the old market authorisations on pharmaceuticals by the new ones complying with the
transposed Community legislation,

(cid:151) proceed with the establishment of a standards association and promote a stronger involvement of industry in
the standards preparation process; reinforce national accreditation system; reinforce the State Metrology Service
and improve operational capacities and know-how of
the accredited calibration laboratories; strengthen
cooperation between the institutions involved in market surveillance activities. Complete implementation of
the development programme of certification bodies and test laboratories,

(cid:151) complete adoption of EN standards,

(cid:151) complete alignment of the public procurement legislation and ensure its effective implementation, in particular
by further strengthening the Public Procurement Agency, and establishing an information system for the
monitoring of procurements,

(cid:151) proceed with screening of legislation in the non-harmonised area to ensure that it is in compliance with
Articles 28, 29 and 30 of the Treaty and complete administrative arrangements for the future monitoring in
this area.

F r e e m o v e m e n t o f p e r s o n s

(cid:151) complete alignment of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas and further develop

required administrative structures, education and training programmes,

(cid:151) with respect to professional qualifications obtained before harmonisation, Lithuania should give priority to
introducing measures to ensure that all its professionals can, from accession, meet the requirements laid down
by the Directives,

(cid:151) reinforce the administrative structures for the coordination of social security.

F r e e d o m t o p r o v i d e s e r v i c e s

(cid:151) reinforce supervision of financial services,

(cid:151) implement Law on third party motor liability insurance,

(cid:151) complete the process of alignment in the field of data protection; complete reorganisation of the State Data
in particular

independence; strengthen the administrative capacity,

Protection Inspectorate, ensure its full
through the provision of training.

F r e e m o v e m e n t o f c a p i t a l

(cid:151) abolish the restrictions on cross-border transfer of means of payment and on investment rules for pension

funds and insurance companies,

(cid:151) adopt the constitutional amendments on access to farmland ownership as planned,

(cid:151) strengthen and improve coordination of the institutions responsible for the enforcement of the prevention of
money laundering. Complete alignment of legislation with the second Directive against money laundering,

(cid:151) Ensure compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force.

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C o m p a n y l a w

(cid:151) establish and ensure the efficient functioning of the Central Register of Legal Entities,

(cid:151) establish the Board of Accounting, improve qualifications of specialists,

(cid:151) complete the process of alignment with the acquis on patents; continue training of the State Patent Bureau staff
in the field of trade mark protection; ensure adequate enforcement of the law on trade marks; implement the
strategy on the enforcement of copyright and related rights; further strengthen administrative capacity of
collective administration associations and the Division of Copyright and Related Rights as regards the
implementation of international conventions,

(cid:151) in need of particular urgent action: strengthen administrative capacity of enforcement bodies of intellectual and
industrial property rights and increase efforts to fight against piracy and counterfeiting. Improve cooperation
among enforcement bodies notably the police, customs and the judiciary. Strengthen administrative capacity at
the border and ensure proper enforcement of border legislation. Intensify training for enforcement bodies
including judges and prosecutors.

C o m p e t i t i o n p o l i c y

(cid:151) complete the legislative framework, strengthen the administrative capacity of the Competition Council (in
particular as regards State aid control); ensure enforcement of the rules in anti-trust and State aid; maintain the
State aid inventory and prepare the annual reports;
the rules among all market
participants and aid grantors; intensify the training of the judiciary in the competition field.

increase awareness of

A g r i c u l t u r e

(cid:151) upgrade the capacity of agricultural administration,

the Market Regulation Agency for
Agriculture and Food Products, and complete preparations for the enforcement and practical application of the
management mechanisms of the common agricultural policy, in particular the integrated administration and
control system and the paying agency for the handling of common agricultural policy expenditure, as well as
for the implementation and enforcement of veterinary and phytosanitary and food safety legislation,

in particular of

(cid:151) reinforce the administrative structures needed for the design,

implementation, management, monitoring,

control and evaluation of Community funded rural development programmes,

(cid:151) continue alignment of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation and upgrade inspection arrangements,
particularly at future external borders. The identification and registration of animals needs to be completed,

(cid:151) reinforce the technical capacity of testing laboratories in order to ensure their accreditation in order to

implement the hazard analysis critical contact point requirements,

(cid:151) complete transposition of legislation on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, plant passports, maximum
including testing of animal

residue levels, animal nutrition and ensure implementation and enforcement,
diseases, in particular transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, in accordance with the acquis,

(cid:151) continue the restructuring of food processing establishments including meat, canned fruit and vegetables and

their upgrading so that they are in a position to respect Community food safety standards,

(cid:151) implement the food safety strategy.

F i s h e r i e s

(cid:151) complete the establishment of adequate administrative structures and equipment at central and regional level
that can ensure the implementation of the common fisheries policy,
including management of resources,
inspection and control of fishing activities, the market policy, structural programmes co-financed by the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, a fishing vessel register and a management plan for the fleet
capacity in accordance with available resources.

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T r a n s p o r t p o l i c y

(cid:151) continue legal alignment and strengthen administrative capacity in road transport (particularly on social
legislation, fiscal harmonisation and technical and safety standards), railway transport (with a view to the
implementation of the revised railway acquis) and air transport,

(cid:151) continue to align and implement maritime transport legislation, taking into account its latest developments,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: strengthen the administrative capacity and complete the institutional
structure in the field of maritime safety in order to improve the flag State performance of the Lithuanian fleet.

T a x a t i o n

(cid:151) complete legislative alignment with particular attention to the VAT (including the transitional VAT regime) and

excise legislation, especially as regards VAT exemptions and levels of excise duties,

(cid:151) ensure that existing and future legislation complies with the principles of the Code of Conduct for Business

Taxation,

(cid:151) strengthen the administrative capacity and control procedures, and improve the administrative cooperation and

mutual assistance in order to be able to implement the acquis,

(cid:151) develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of computerised data with the Community and its Member

States,

(cid:151) implement the Holdings and Movements Directive.

S t a t i s t i c s

(cid:151) further improve quality and coverage of statistics; ensure that adequate resources are available to further

strengthen statistical capacities, including at regional level.

E m p l o y m e n t a n d s o c i a l p o l i c y

(cid:151) complete transposition of the social acquis, notably through the adoption of the new Labour Code, and ensure
its proper implementation through the appropriate enforcement structures, including the labour inspectorates,
according to agreed timetable. Complete alignment in the field of equal treatment for men and women. Adopt
legislation against discrimination and develop a timetable for its implementation,

(cid:151) continue to support social partners’ capacity-building efforts in particular with a view to their future in the
development and implementation of the Community employment and social policy, including the European
Social Fund, notably through autonomous social dialogue,

(cid:151) adopt the law on public health and continue the implementation of the public health care reform, and in
particular develop further the health monitoring system; finalise the development of measures in the area of
surveillance and control of communicable diseases.

(cid:151) continue preparations for a national strategy, including data collection, with a view to future participation in

the European strategy on social inclusion.

E n e r g y

(cid:151) implement

the recommendations contained in the Council report on nuclear safety in the context of

enlargement with due regard to the priorities assigned in the report,

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(cid:151) continue the implementation of the national energy strategy; start and complete, as a matter of urgency, a
revision of the national energy strategy allowing for a decision on the closure date of Unit 2 of the Ignalina
nuclear power plant in a manner compatible with Lithuania’s timetable for accession,

(cid:151) advance the legal, technical, economic and social preparation for the definitive closure (before 2005) and

decommissioning of Unit 1 of the Ignalina nuclear power plant,

(cid:151) strengthen the resources and capacities of the national regulatory authority for nuclear energy,

(cid:151) maintain a high level of nuclear safety throughout the decommissioning phases of the Ignalina nuclear power

plant,

(cid:151) continue the alignment process on oil stocks; make progress in ensuring the actual constitution of stocks,
towards the level of 90 days; develop the necessary administrative

including the necessary investments,
capacity,

(cid:151) complete the alignment process with regard to internal energy market (electricity and gas); establish an
independent transmission system operator (electricity); eliminate remaining price distortions; strengthen the
regulator (National Control Commission for Prices and Energy),

(cid:151) continue the refurbishment of conventional power plants in line with the environmental acquis,

(cid:151) step up the improvement of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources and strengthen the

relevant institutions in this area.

T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n t e c h n o l o g i e s

(cid:151) ensure the effective functioning of the Communications Regulatory Authority,

including the structure in

charge of postal services once it is established, by qualified staff for its new tasks and appropriate financing,

(cid:151) ensure compliance with the telecommunications acquis, in particular as regards interconnections procedures.

C u l t u r e a n d a u d i o v i s u a l p o l i c y

(cid:151) continue to strengthen administrative capacity of the relevant authorities.

R e g i o n a l p o l i c y a n d c o o r d i n a t i o n o f s t r u c t u r a l i n s t r u m e n t s

(cid:151) complete the legal and administrative framework which allows for the implementation of the acquis in this

area, in particular with regard to financial management and control,

(cid:151) ensure effective interministerial coordination and appropriate partnership with a view to both programming

and implementation,

(cid:151) prepare a single programming document in line with the Structural Funds Regulations, including an ex ante

evaluation,

(cid:151) ensure that the designated managing authority and paying authorities will progressively build up their capacity
in order to be able, on accession, to fulfil their responsibilities and deliver the tasks assigned to each of them
according to the Structural Funds Regulations,

(cid:151) set up evaluation and monitoring systems,

(cid:151) develop the technical preparation of projects eligible for Structural and Cohesion Funds assistance (project

pipeline).

E n v i r o n m e n t

(cid:151) complete transposition of the acquis,

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(cid:151) continue implementation of the acquis, in particular as regards sulphur content in liquid fuels, volatile organic
compounds emissions resulting from storage and distribution of petrol, waste management (in particular waste
oils, landfills and packaging and packaging waste), urban waste-water treatment, drinking water (in particular
by solving the problem of excess fluoride), dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment (by
establishing inventories and pollution reduction programmes) and nature protection (including the preparation
of a list of sites of Community importance and designating special protection areas),

(cid:151) continue strengthening the administrative and monitoring capacity, both at central and local level, in particular

for chemicals and GMOs,

(cid:151) continue integration of environmental protection requirements into the definition and implementation of all

other sectoral policies with a view to promoting sustainable development.

C o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n a n d h e a l t h

(cid:151) further strengthen the market supervision institutions, strengthen the National Consumer Rights Protection

Council.

C o o p e r a t i o n i n t h e f i e l d o f J u s t i c e a n d H o m e A f f a i r s

(cid:151) ensure the implementation of the Schengen action plan,

(cid:151) complete border demarcation with Belarus and Russia (border with Kaliningrad) and strengthen border control,

including maritime border; continue training for border guards, improve infrastructure and equipment,

(cid:151) step up efforts in the fight against trafficking in human beings,

(cid:151) complete alignment with the acquis on visa policy, asylum and migration, reinforce the administrative capacity

of competent bodies and improve the appeals system,

(cid:151) complete reorganisation and modernisation of police service and further develop the professional training
system for the police; establish a network of police liaison officers; reinforce bilateral cooperation with other
Union Member States; strengthen cooperation among all bodies (including the judiciary) in the fight against
organised crime; ensure effective implementation of anti-money laundering measures,

(cid:151) implement the national drugs strategy and strengthen administrative capacity of and coordination among all
relevant bodies (ensuring a clear division or responsibilities); complete the legal framework for international
cooperation, prepare for participation in the work of the European information network on drugs and drug
addiction,

(cid:151) take the necessary steps in order to ensure the implementation of the Community instruments in the area of

judicial cooperation in civil matters,

(cid:151) ensure that the pre-requirements for the conclusion of a cooperation agreement with Europol are met,

(cid:151) continue preparation for future participation in the Schengen Information System, by developing various

national databases and registers,

(cid:151) take the necessary steps to align the legislation with the Convention on Protection of the Communities’

Financial Interests and its Protocols.

C u s t o m s u n i o n

(cid:151) complete the process of alignment with the acquis; complete the process of restructuring of regional customs

offices,

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(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: accelerate the implementation of the IT strategy of the Lithuanian
customs administration. Develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of computerised data between the
Community and Lithuania,

(cid:151) reinforce customs activities at the border, and cooperation with other services at the border (border guards,

veterinary and phytosanitary services). Implement the customs ethics policy.

E x t e r n a l r e l a t i o n s

(cid:151) take the necessary measures to ensure that any international

treaties or agreements including bilateral

investment treaties incompatible with the acquis are renegotiated or terminated by accession.

F i n a n c i a l c o n t r o l

(cid:151) implement the methodology for financial management and control and for internal audit throughout the

government in a harmonised way,

(cid:151) train human resources in the area of public internal financial control, the national fund included,

(cid:151) adopt and implement external and internal audit standards in line with internationally approved and
Community compliant standards, adopt control and audit manuals, prepare audit trails and methods for
reporting, monitoring and accounting of national and Community funds,

(cid:151) complete the legislative framework of the State Control Office including the enhancement of its independent

status,

(cid:151) designate a contact point for the protection of the Communities’ financial

interests and start cooperating

effectively with OLAF through this contact point,

(cid:151) strengthen the fight against fraud,

(cid:151) continue efforts to ensure the correct use, control, monitoring and evaluation of Community pre-accession

funding as a key indicator of Lithuania’s ability to implement the financial control acquis.

5. Programming

in addition to PHARE, financial assistance to Lithuania comprises support for
For the period 2000 to 2006,
pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development
through the pre-accession instrument Sapard
(Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 87); and support for infrastructure projects in
instrument ISPA (Council Regulation (EC) No
the fields of environment and transport through the structural
1267/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 73), which gives priority to measures similar to the Cohesion Fund in the
its participation in
pre-accession period. Under these national allocations, Lithuania can also fund part of
Community programmes including the research and technological development
framework programmes and
programmes in the areas of education and Enterprise. In addition Lithuania will have access to funding from
multicountry and horizontal programmes directly related to the acquis. Joint financing by the applicant States is
systematically required for all investment projects. Since 1998 the Commission has worked with the European
Investment Bank and the International Financial Institutions, in particular the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development and the World Bank, with a view to facilitating the co-financing of projects relating to
pre-accession priorities.

6. Conditionality

Community assistance for financing projects through the three pre-accession instruments PHARE, ISPA and Sapard
is conditional on respect by Lithuania of its commitments under the Europe Agreement, further steps towards
satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and in particular progress in meeting the specific priorities of this revised
Accession Partnership. Failure to respect these general conditions could lead to a decision by the Council on the
suspension of financial assistance on the basis of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 622/98.

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7. Monitoring

The implementation of the Accession Partnership is monitored in the framework of the Europe Agreement. As
underlined by the European Council in Luxembourg, it is important that the institutions of the Europe Agreement
continue to be the framework within which the adoption and implementation of the acquis can be examined. The
relevant sections of the Accession Partnership are discussed in the appropriate subcommittee. The Association
Committee discusses overall developments, progress and problems in meeting the Partnership’s priorities and
intermediate objectives as well as more specific issues referred to it from the subcommittees.

The PHARE Management Committee ensures that actions financed under all three pre-accession instruments,
PHARE, ISPA, and Sapard, are compatible with each other as well as with the Accession Partnerships as laid down
in the Coordinating Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1266/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 68).

The Accession Partnership will continue to be amended as necessary in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation
(EC) No 622/98.