2002/91/EC: Council Decision of 28 January 2002 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Poland
Date: 2002-01-28
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU aid, Poland, 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 Poland

(2002/91/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,

(5)

(6)

(7)

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

regular
Poland’s

preparations

analysis

on

In order to prepare for membership, Poland 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.

Poland 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,

Whereas:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

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
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,

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

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 Poland 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 Poland 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 Poland. The present revision is based on a proposal by the Commission following
consultation with Poland, and draws on the analysis of the Commission’s 2001 regular report on progress made by
Poland 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 Poland towards membership of the
Union, the financial means available to help Poland 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
inter alia, the updated
used to help the candidate States in their preparations for membership. These include,
national programme for the adoption of the acquis prepared by Poland, 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
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 Poland. The priorities listed in the revised Accession
Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Poland 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.

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Poland 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 Poland’s membership preparations. Poland will
nevertheless have to address all issues identified in the 2001 regular report. It is also important that Poland 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 Poland. 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 r u l e o f l a w

(cid:151) improve the functioning of the judicial system by measures to upgrade recruitment, training, logistical and
improve public access to the law; review degree of immunity in line with international

clerical support;
standards; establish a national training standard for magistrates,

(cid:151) continue to implement civil service legislation, devoting due attention to the issue of remuneration and
training, and establish permanent training capacity for the civil service, in particular related to acquis issues,

(cid:151) implement a comprehensive anti-corruption policy.

Economic criteria

(cid:151) maintain macroeconomic and budgetary stability, with a view to ensuring medium-term sustainability of

public finances,

(cid:151) make further progress on the institutional framework for the market economy and sound economic policy
fiscal

relating to public expenditure management and further

(in particular on issues

management
decentralisation),

(cid:151) continue improving the competitiveness of the Polish economy and upgrading of skills in particular in rural
and eastern border regions, in particular through small and medium-sized enterprise development and human
resources development measures,

(cid:151) make further progress on structural reforms,

continuing the process of privatisation of State-owned firms,
remaining State-owned financial institutions,

including improving the functioning of labour markets and
in particular in the energy sector and the

(cid:151) continue restructuring of the steel sector (in particular, by implementing measures as part of a comprehensive
including control of State aid and appropriate reductions in

sectoral programme for restoring viability,
capacity); complete restructuring of the coal sector,

(cid:151) restructure the Polish railways aiming at financial sustainability,

(cid:151) continue improving the functioning of the land market and complete development of property register.

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

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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) in need of particularly urgent action: adoption and implementation of secondary legislation in the field of

pharmaceuticals,

(cid:151) continue transposition of (cid:145)New approach(cid:146) Directives and adopted related European standards,

(cid:151) adopt and implement the outstanding legislation on standardisation,

(cid:151) continue in parallel to the deletion of the pre-market approval system, the transposition and implementation
the food control

foodstuffs and the rationalisation and reinforcement of

legislation in the field of

of
administration, as well as the training of inspectors and food operators,

(cid:151) continue transposition and implementation of traditional sectoral legislation, notably in the field of medical

devices, chemicals and motor vehicles,

(cid:151) establish well-functioning market surveillance system and ensure implementing structures for all sectors,

(cid:151) adopt and implement a programme for the elimination of outstanding non-tariff market access barriers,

(cid:151) abolish by the end of 2002 the national preference clause for public procurement by introducing access to
award procedures in Poland for all Community companies. Implement SIMAP (public market information
system),

(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) reinforce the administrative structures for the coordination of social security systems,

(cid:151) complete alignment of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas and introduction of the

administrative structures required,

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

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) in need of particularly urgent action: develop monitoring and regulatory bodies, in particular for financial

services.

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

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: amend the sectoral

legislation restricting foreign direct investments,

abolish remaining restrictions,

(cid:151) strengthen surveillance and regulatory bodies including the Financial Intelligence Unit,

(cid:151) complete alignment of legislation with the second Directive against money laundering,

(cid:151) liberalise progressively short-term capital movements,

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

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C o m p a n y l a w

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: implement Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law and amendments,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: continue to upgrade intellectual and industrial property enforcement at
administrative and judicial level; increase efforts to fight against piracy and counterfeiting and intensify training
for enforcement bodies including judges and prosecutors; ensure better coordination among enforcement
bodies,

(cid:151) take the necessary steps to ensure equal

level of protection of industrial property rights with regard to

pharmaceuticals.

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

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action:

improve transparency and flow of data especially with regard to

information on State aid so as to ensure a credible enforcement record,

(cid:151) adopt and implement programme for alignment of existing aid in special economic zones,

(cid:151) analyse in depth and realign with the obligations under the acquis State aid granted to the sensitive sectors, in

particular the automotive and steel industries,

(cid:151) reinforce the antitrust and State aid authorities and procedures and ensure coordination and training at all

levels,

(cid:151) ensure the enforcement of the antitrust and State aid rules. Increase awareness of the rules among all market
participants and aid grantors. Intensify the training of the judiciary in the specific fields of antitrust and State
aid.

A g r i c u l t u r e

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: upgrade the capacity of agricultural administration 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, the paying agency and
preparation for setting-up the milk quota management system, as well as for the implementation and
enforcement of veterinary and phytosanitary and food safety legislation,

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

implementation, management, monitoring,

control and evaluation of EC funded rural development programmes,

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: align and implement veterinary legislation and food safety standards,

(cid:151) upgrade inspection arrangements in particular at the future external borders and continue to implement the
comprehensive development programme of phytosanitary and veterinary administration border posts.
Complete system of animal identification and registration. Implement national laboratory plans for testing and
diagnostic facilities,
in particular the national reference laboratory; ensure adequate education on disease
surveillance and Community animal health legislation at all levels,

(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 upgrading of agri-food processing establishments so that they are in a position to respect
Implement food hygiene, control system, animal waste

Community food safety standards and legislation.
treatment, modernise dairy farms, residue and zoonosis control programmes.

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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
including management of resources,
that can ensure the implementation of the common fisheries policy,
inspection and control of
fishing activities, the market policy, structural programmes cofinanced by the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, a fishing vessel register and a management plan for the fleet
capacity in accordance with available fish resources.

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 (in particular access to the
profession, technical and safety standards, axle weight and dimensions) and maritime transport (in particular
ship reporting, maritime safety standards and classification requirements); continue alignment and establish the
necessary administrative structures in air transport (in particular air safety and air traffic management),

(cid:151) continue legislative alignment and restructuring in the railways sector with a view to the implementation of
the revised railways acquis, devote particular attention to the setting-up of an independent infrastructure
manager and regulatory body,

(cid:151) continue legal alignment, taking into account latest developments, and strengthen administrative capacity in
the field of maritime safety (in particular concerning ship reporting, maritime safety standards and
classification requirements) in order to improve the flag State performance of the Polish fleet.

T a x a t i o n

(cid:151) ensure legislative alignment with particular attention to VAT and excise duty rates, including the transitional

VAT regime,

(cid:151) eliminate discriminatory duties against imports from the Community,

(cid:151) ensure that new tax measures and existing laws comply with the principles of the Code of Conduct for

business taxation,

(cid:151) implement national strategy for the improvement of tax and revenue collection and reinforce administrative

capacity including control and enforcement procedures and administrative cooperation and mutual assistance,

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

(cid:151) in need of particularly urgent action: develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of electronic data

with the Community and its Member States.

E c o n o m i c a n d m o n e t a r y u n i o n

(cid:151) consolidate the independence of the National Bank of Poland.

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,

(cid:151) further adapt and harmonise agricultural statistics and statistical systems.

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

(cid:151) complete alignment and ensure proper implementation of Community legislation in the fields of labour law,
equal treatment for women and men and health and safety at work. Strengthen the related administrative and
enforcement structures,
legislation against discrimination and
develop a timetable for its implementation,

including the labour inspectorates. Adopt

(cid:151) align the national system for surveillance and control of communicable diseases and health monitoring and

information with those of the Community,

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(cid:151) continue to support social partners’ capacity-building efforts, in particular with a view to their future in the
elaboration and implementation of Community employment and social policy, including the European Social
Fund, 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) continue preparations for the internal energy market (complete the alignment of electricity and gas directives,

including the elimination of price distortions and consolidating the regulator),

(cid:151) continue the alignment of oil stock requirements in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, and make
progress in ensuring the actual constitution of stocks, including the necessary investments, towards the level of
90 days,

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

relevant institutions in this area,

(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.

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) in need of particularly urgent action: complete alignment with the acquis and ensure transparent and effective

implementation,

(cid:151) consolidate national regulatory authority for telecommunications.

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) complete alignment of

legislation and continue

to strengthen the

capabilities of

the independent

television/radio regulatory authority.

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) establish national development plan and define the implementation structures of the final plan,

(cid:151) define the bodies in charge of the implementation of Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, in particular the

Managing and Paying authorities; establish a clear division of responsibilities,

(cid:151) ensure effective interministerial coordination and clarify responsibilities for regional policy issues,

(cid:151) set up the required monitoring and evaluation systems for Structural Funds, in particular for ex ante evaluation
and for the collection and processing of the relevant statistical information and indicators including regional
statistics for the purposes of ex ante evaluation,

(cid:151) improve the budgetary system according to Structural Funds standards; establish financial control arrangements
for Structural Funds management, establish and properly staff future managing and paying authorities for
Structural Funds management,

(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, with a special emphasis given to water quality (by adopting the Act on

Water and related ministerial regulations) and industrial pollution,

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(cid:151) continue implementation of

the acquis,

in particular as regards air quality (including improvement of
monitoring network), waste management (by achieving full implementation of the Directive on waste and the
hazardous waste Directive, by drawing up waste management plans and by improving the recovery and
selection system), water quality (by giving special emphasis to waste water treatment in agglomerations above
100 000 (population equivalent), by establishing the inventory for discharges of dangerous substances, by fully
implementing the directives on drinking water, on quality of surface water and on nitrates pollution from
integrated permits under the IPPC
agricultural sources) and industrial pollution (including the issuing of
Directive),

(cid:151) continue strengthening the administrative, monitoring and enforcement capacity at national, regional and local
level, with particular emphasis on permitting and planning and the establishment of the institutional structures
to implement directives in the field of chemicals (also accredited laboratories) as well as in the field of nature
protection,

(cid:151) continue the 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 s 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, strengthen market surveillance and enforcement

including through a

strengthening of consumer organisations and consumer awareness.

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 due implementation of the Schengen action plan,

(cid:151) continue preparation for future participation in the Schengen information system by developing national

databases and registers,

(cid:151) continue efforts in upgrading the equipment and staffing at border crossing points, but also at the green
border and blue border and in particular at the future external border of the Union; allocating adequate
national budgetary and administrative resources, complete alignment with common visa policy,

(cid:151) ensure full cooperation between national and Union law enforcement agencies by providing necessary
administrative and logistical support; ensure the alignment of data protection practices; align cross-border
surveillance, ensure exclusively civilian coordinated crime-fighting services,

(cid:151) adopt and implement a strategy to combat organised crime (from prevention to prosecution); combat
trafficking in human beings; adopt and implement a national anti-drugs strategy; including the establishment
of a national drugs focal point to cooperate with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug
addiction; effectively address money-laundering and economic crime,

(cid:151) improve the internal cooperation within the police, with other law enforcement agencies and with the
judiciary in particular to strengthen the fight against organised crime and eliminate overlapping investigations,

(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) take the necessary steps to complete alignment 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) in need of particularly urgent action fully implement the business strategy for the customs service on schedule,
in particular the implementation of the IT strategy of the Polish customs administration. Develop IT systems so
as to allow for the exchange of computerised data between the Community and Poland,

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(cid:151) strengthen integrated border management (cid:151) including cooperation with the national partner services and

neighbouring countries to establish integrated joint working procedures,

(cid:151) implement the integrated tariff and the modernisation strategy for the customs administration including

regional levels,

(cid:151) ensure uniform application of the customs code throughout the country,

(cid:151) complete alignment regarding simplified procedures; strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of

Polish customs (notably as regards border management and coordination with other law enforcement bodies),

(cid:151) continue efforts to combat customs fraud.

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) in need of particularly urgent action: complete public internal financial control policy paper and relevant
secondary legislation at national and regional level; set up a central unit for coordination and harmonisation of
the methodology for financial management and control as well as for internal audit
the
government; set up internal audit/control units in spending centres,

throughout

(cid:151) introduce functional independence for internal auditors at both central and decentralised levels. Strengthen
public internal financial control functions at all levels through enhancement of the administrative capacity,

(cid:151) strengthen the concept and practice of managerial accountability,

(cid:151) bring the activities of the Supreme Chamber of Control in line with international and EC standards,

(cid:151) consolidate anti-fraud unit,

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

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

5. Programming

through the structural

in addition to PHARE,

financial assistance to Poland 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 the
fields of environment and transport
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
pre-accession period. Under these national allocations, Poland can also fund part of its participation in Community
programmes including the research and technological development framework programmes and programmes in
the areas of education and enterprise. In addition Poland 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.

instrument

6. Conditionality

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