2002/83/EC: Council Decision of 28 January 2002 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria
Date: 2002-01-28
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Bulgaria, EU aid, accession to the European Union, cooperation policy, enlargement of the Union

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/1

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 28 January 2002

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

(2002/83/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:

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(1)

(2)

(3)

the
The Luxembourg European Council
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
priorities,
conditions
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,

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

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

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

preparations

analysis

regular

In order to prepare for membership, Bulgaria 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.

Bulgaria needs to ensure that the appropriate legal and
administrative structures needed for the programming,
coordination, management, control and evaluation of
Community 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 Bulgaria 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.

L 44/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.2.2002

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

Article 3

Done at Brussels, 28 January 2002.

For the Council

The President

J. PIQU(cid:201) I CAMPS

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/3

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 Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria. The present revision is based on a proposal by the Commission following
consultation with Bulgaria, and draws on the analysis of the Commission’s 2001 regular report on progress made
by Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria towards membership of the
Union, the financial means available to help Bulgaria implement these priorities and the conditions which will
apply to that assistance. 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 for the adoption of the acquis prepared by Bulgaria, the pre-accession fiscal surveillance
procedure, the 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
the priorities they contain will be
compatible with it.

this Partnership but

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
to ensure harmonious operation of Community policies after accession and at
administrative structures
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 Bulgaria. The priorities listed in the revised Accession
Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Bulgaria can complete or take them

L 44/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.2.2002

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.

Bulgaria submitted an updated version of its national programme for the adoption of the acquis (NPAA) on 2 July
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 Bulgaria’s membership preparations. Bulgaria will
nevertheless have to address all issues identified in the 2001 regular report. It is also important that Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria. 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) continue to make progress with public administration reform. Ensure effective implementation of

the
provisions of Civil Service Act and related regulations. Take steps to ensure accountability, openness and
transparency of public service. Strengthen capacity for strategic planning, policy analysis and evaluation at the
centre of government and in line ministries and improve quality of consultation with affected parties (e.g.
social and economic partners, civil society, and private sector) on preparation of new legislation,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: start to implement the strategy for reform of the judicial system, paying

particular attention:

(cid:151) to strengthening the administrative capacity of key institutions; Supreme Judicial Council and Ministry of
Justice, through building budgetary, supervisory, planning and human resource management capacity,

(cid:151) to review the degree of immunity of members of the judiciary to ensure this is in line with international

standards,

(cid:151) to ensuring the full implementation of fundamental rights in penal cases such as legal aid,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: start to implement the national strategy to combat corruption in public

life, especially focus sing on awareness building, prevention and the prosecution of corrupt acts.

H u m a n r i g h t s a n d t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f m i n o r i t i e s

(cid:151) ensure that an effective system for redressing police misconduct is established,

(cid:151) continue to implement the Roma framework programme with particular attention to providing necessary
financial support, significant strengthening of the National Council of Ethnic and Demographic Issues, and
ensuring equal access to health, housing, education and social security,

(1) The order of presentation is that used in the 2000 regular report.

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/5

(cid:151) adopt and implement secondary legislation necessary for the effective functioning of the Child Protection Act.
Ensure further measures are taken to improve community care services for children. Ensure the full
implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Economic criteria

(cid:151) maintain macroeconomic stability, with a view to ensuring medium-term sustainability of public finances, and
through further market-based enterprise

continue to promote economic growth and competitiveness
restructuring and promotion of private sector development,

(cid:151) take measures to improve the functioning of the financial sector and in particular to strengthen the banking

sector,

(cid:151) continue the privatisation process in such a way that the privatised companies can be restructured and can

grow,

(cid:151) make progress on restructuring of the energy sector. Develop and start to implement an energy efficiency

strategy and aim to attract increased investment,

(cid:151) ensure that the steel sector is restructured on a viable basis, and receives no further State aid incompatible

with Community State aid rules for the steel sector,

(cid:151) further improve and accelerate bankruptcy and liquidation procedures, reduce the time needed to complete

procedures and improve enforcement of decisions,

(cid:151) establish a functioning land market and finalise the land and property register,

(cid:151) take further measures to improve the business environment and stimulate domestic and inward investments.
Ensure business-friendly legal, tax, regulatory and administrative frameworks (including improved contract
enforcement and licensing procedures) that provide a level playing field for all businesses,

(cid:151) develop a more favourable business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through
addressing the remaining obstacles to SME development including lack of business expertise among SME
managers, and access to finance on appropriate terms.

Ability to assume the obligations of membership

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

(cid:151) modify the framework law on technical requirements implementing new and global approach principles to

ensure it is in line with the acquis,

(cid:151) reinforce horizontal administrative infrastructure and separation of standardisation and certification functions.
Implement (cid:145)New approach(cid:146) Directives on the basis of modified framework legislation and reinforcement of
related administrative capacity (conformity assessment bodies and laboratories). Speed up the adoption of EN
harmonised standards,

(cid:151) pursue alignment of traditional sectoral legislation notably in the pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foodstuffs and
motor vehicles sectors. Reinforce market surveillance systems and prepare administration and food operators
for Community principles of food safety,

(cid:151) adopt and enforce amendments to public procurement legislation to ensure correct application and full
compatibility with the acquis. Ensure transparent public procurement procedures at central and regional levels,

(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.

L 44/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.2.2002

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

(cid:151) continue to pursue alignment of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas and introduce

required administrative structures, education and training programmes.

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) adopt and implement national legislation and establish an independent public supervisory authority responsible

for monitoring the correct application of data protection provisions.

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

(cid:151) take further steps to prevent use of financial system for money laundering. Strengthen the capacity of the
Intelligence Bureau to deal with money laundering and to ensure that all relevant professions

Financial
cooperate with it. Complete alignment of legislation with the second Directive against money laundering,

(cid:151) ensure compliance with the recommendations of the financial action task force.

C o m p a n y l a w

(cid:151) upgrade accounting and auditing standards and practices, and further align the regulatory framework with the

acquis,

(cid:151) in need of particular urgent action: enhance the enforcement of industrial and intellectual property rights, with
the emphasis on the fight against piracy and counterfeiting and strengthening border control measures.
Improve cooperation among enforcement bodies; 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 in both antitrust and State aid; strengthen administrative capacity
(particularly for State aid control); ensure full enforcement of antitrust and State aid rules; maintain a
comprehensive State aid inventory and prepare a comprehensive annual State aid report; increase awareness of
antitrust and State aid rules among market participants and aid granters; intensify training of the judiciary in
antitrust and State aid matters.

A g r i c u l t u r e

(cid:151) prepare the administrative structures needed for the design, implementation, management, monitoring, control

and evaluation of Community funded rural development programmes,

(cid:151) upgrade the capacity of the agricultural administration for the practical implementation and enforcement of
the management mechanisms of the common agricultural policy, in particular the integrated administration
and control system and the paying agency for the management of common agricultural policy funds, as well
as for the implementation and enforcement of veterinary and phytosanitary and food safety legislation,

(cid:151) put in place the necessary conditions for the emergence and strengthening of efficient land, labour and capital

markets in the rural and agricultural sectors,

(cid:151) continue the upgrading of food processing establishments so that they are in a position to respect Community

food safety standards,

(cid:151) continue the reinforcement of the food control administration,

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/7

(cid:151) continue preparation of the vineyard register,

(cid:151) continue alignment of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation and upgrade inspection arrangements,

in

particular at future external borders,

(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.

F i s h e r i e s

(cid:151) complete the establishment of the adequate organisation, adequate institutional resources and equipment
relating to inspection and controls at central and regional levels; complete the fishing vessel register in full
compliance with Community requirements.

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

(cid:151) continue legal alignment and reinforce administrative capacity in road transport especially on adaptation of the

fleet to technical and safety requirements and charging/taxation,

(cid:151) continue legal alignment and reinforce administrative capacity in railway transport with a view to the

implementation of the revised railway acquis. Pursue the restructuring of Bulgarian railways,

(cid:151) continue to align and implement maritime transport legislation, taking into account its latest developments,
and in particular strengthen the administrative capacity in order to improve the flag State performance in the
field of maritime safety.

T a x a t i o n

(cid:151) continue alignment of VAT legislation, with particular regard to exempt transactions, right of deduction and

special schemes. Align gradually legislation on excise duties, with particular regard to the applied rates,

(cid:151) ensure that existing and future legislation complies with the principles of the code of conduct for business

taxation,

(cid:151) continue to modernise and strengthen tax administration to ensure laws are effectively implemented and

enforced, particularly for revenue collection and administrative cooperation and mutual assistance,

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

States,

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

S t a t i s t i c s

(cid:151) further improve quality and coverage of statistics; ensure 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) continue alignment of the social acquis, in particular on equal treatment for women and men and health and
safety at work and develop implementation capacity including the strengthening of the labour inspectorates.
Adopt legislation against discrimination and develop a timetable for its implementation,

L 44/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.2.2002

(cid:151) continue alignment of legislative framework and develop implementation capacity for the acquis on public
health; accelerate the development of measures in the area of surveillance and control of communicable
diseases and health monitoring and information,

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

(cid:151) prepare 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) prepare, as a matter of urgency, a new energy strategy paying particular attention to the need to improve
energy efficiency (and to implement a strong policy of demand-side management) and to revise energy demand
forecasts on the basis of more realistic growth and energy intensity scenarios. This should take into account
the commitments of the Understanding of 1999 on Kozloduy nuclear power plant,

(cid:151) implement the commitment made in the Understanding of 1999 to close down definitively Units 1 and 2 of
the Kozloduy nuclear power plant before the year 2003, and decide in 2002 a firm date, not later than 2006,
for the closure of Units 3 and 4,

(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,

(cid:151) focus on strengthening the independence, resources and capacities of the national regulatory authority for

nuclear energy,

(cid:151) continue to ensure a high level of nuclear safety at Units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant and

maintain a high level of nuclear safety throughout the decommissioning phases of Units 1 to 4,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: adopt the framework law and timetable to meet oil stocks requirement

acquis,

(cid:151) improve management of radioactive waste,

(cid:151) start to implement energy efficiency measures and step up the use of renewable energy. Ensure the Energy

Efficiency Agency is adequately resourced,

(cid:151) put in place transparent market rules with a clear schedule for opening the market to competition. Enhance
role of State energy regulatory commission in enforcement of these rules. Complete the restructuring of the
solid fuels sector,

(cid:151) make preparations for participation in the internal market for electricity and for natural gas including with
regard to alignment; create an independent transmission system operator (electricity); eliminate remaining price
distortions; strengthen the sector regulator, and adopt timetables for market opening.

I n d u s t r i a l p o l i c y

(cid:151) develop and implement a market-oriented competitiveness strategy including sectoral strategies as appropriate.

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) complete the transposition of the acquis,

(cid:151) ensure independence of the bodies concerned with regulation (State Telecommunications Commission, Postal
Regulator and ministry) from operational activities and strengthen their capacity in preparation for planned
full liberalisation of these sectors by 1 January 2003.

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/9

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) strengthen the administrative capacity of the national regulatory body in the field of broadcasting.

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) strengthen administrative capacity in key ministries, particularly at the central level, to design strategies and to
implement and evaluate projects for regional development and economic and social cohesion, financed by
Community and national funds,

(cid:151) prepare a coherent development plan as required by the Structural Funds Regulations. Integrate it into the
serves as an integrated and operational

national budgetary and policy-making framework so that
development tool,

it

(cid:151) clarify the proposed institutional arrangements for managing Structural Funds after accession,

including
appropriate control, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and start to build the necessary administrative
structures consistent with these arrangements,

(cid:151) prepare to comply with basic financial management and control provisions as laid down by the respective

regulations of the Structural Funds.

E n v i r o n m e n t

(cid:151) continue transposition of the acquis with particular emphasis on environmental impact assessment, air quality,
waste management, water quality, nature protection, industrial pollution control and risk management and
radiation protection,

(cid:151) continue implementation of the acquis with particular emphasis on environmental

impact assessment, air
quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection, industrial pollution control and risk management,
and radiation protection. Continue preparation and development of directive-specific implementation plans,
including financing plans, with particular emphasis on waste management (including waste management
plans), water quality and nature protection, and start implementation,

(cid:151) continue strengthening administrative, monitoring and enforcement capacity at national and regional levels.
Particular attention should be given to the strengthening of the Ministry of Environment and Water as well as
regional inspectorates in relation to waste management and nature protection,

(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 a n d h e a l t h p r o t e c t i o n

(cid:151) continue alignment of legislation and take steps to ensure effective implementation of the Consumer Protection

Act, in particular through an independent and efficient market surveillance mechanism.

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) submit a Schengen action plan,

(cid:151) continue to upgrade and modernise infrastructure at the future Union external borders,

(cid:151) bring the current Refugees Act in line with the relevant acquis and assure its proper implementation,

(cid:151) improve the internal cooperation within the police and with other law enforcement agencies and with the

judiciary in particular to strengthen capacities to fight organised crime,

L 44/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.2.2002

(cid:151) update and implement an integrated strategy for the fight against organised crime,

from prevention to
prosecution, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and any other concerned
agency,

(cid:151) develop a national drugs strategy and strengthen the administrative capacity of and the coordination among

bodies involved in its implementation,

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

judicial cooperation in civil matters,

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

Financial Interests and its Protocols.

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

(cid:151) fully implement the Bulgarian customs code and its implementing provisions, guarantee the stability and
strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of the customs administration to enable it to enforce
legislation and improve cooperation with other law enforcement bodies. Continue to upgrade infrastructure at
borders,

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

(cid:151) continue serious efforts to implement the customs ethics policy.

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

(cid:151) implement the new legislative framework on public internal financial control and strengthen the administrative

capacity and the functional independence of the relevant institutions,

(cid:151) implement

the framework for systems based and performance audits; develop a culture of managerial

accountability,

(cid:151) develop coherent and comprehensive standards for external audit supported by appropriate methodology and

manuals; strengthen the capacity of the National Audit Office,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: complete the legislative framework for external audit,

(cid:151) designate a contact point

for the protection of
cooperation with OLAF through this contact point,

the Communities’

financial

interests and start effective

(cid:151) strengthen the fight against fraud,

(cid:151) step up efforts to ensure the correct use, control, monitoring and evaluation of EC pre-accession funding as a

key indicator of Bulgaria’s ability to implement the financial control acquis.

5. Programming

in addition to PHARE, financial assistance to Bulgaria comprises support for
For the period 2000 to 2006,
through the pre-accession instrument Sapard
pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development
(Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 87); and support for infrastructure projects in
the fields of environment and transport through the structural
instrument ISPA (Council Regulation (EC) No
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, Bulgaria can also fund part of
framework programmes and
Community programmes including the research and technological development
programmes in the areas of education and enterprise. In addition Bulgaria 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.

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 44/11

6. Conditionality

Community assistance for financing projects through the three pre-accession instruments PHARE, Ispa and Sapard
is conditional on respect by Bulgaria 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.

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.