Proposal for a Council Decision on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Turkey
Date: 2003-03-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU law - national law, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, economic and social cohesion, financial aid, investment aid, pre-accession strategy

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 26.3.2003
COM (2003) 144 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

Strengthening the Accession Strategy for Turkey

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

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

(presented by the Commission)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

Strengthening the Accession Strategy for Turkey

Introduction

In  the  Strategy  Paper  ‘Towards  the  Enlarged  Union’,  of  9  October  2002,  the  Commission
recommended  that  “the  European  Union  should  enhance  its  support  for  Turkey’s  pre-
accession preparations, in view of the next stage of its candidature”. It also set out a number
of  more  detailed  recommendations  to  meet  this  objective,  including  the  revision  of  the
Accession Partnership for Turkey and an increase in financial assistance.

The decision of the Helsinki European Council in 1999 to recognise Turkey as a candidate for
accession encouraged it to adopt a series of far reaching constitutional and legislative reforms.
The  European  Councils  of  Laeken  in  2001,  Seville,  Brussels  and  Copenhagen  in  2002
recognised  the  progress  made  by  Turkey  towards  complying  with  the  political  criteria.  The
Copenhagen European Council further concluded that if the European Council in December
2004,  on  the  basis  of  a  report  and  a  recommendation  from  the  Commission,  decides  that
Turkey  fulfils  the  Copenhagen  political  criteria,  the  European  Union  will  open  accession
negotiations  with  Turkey  without  delay.  It  also  endorsed  the  Commission’s  approach  and
announced  that  the  “accession  strategy  for  Turkey  shall  be  strengthened”.  As  part  of  this
process, it invited the Commission to submit a proposal for a revised Accession Partnership
and announced a significant increase in pre-accession financial assistance for Turkey.

This  Communication  presents  the  Commission’s  follow-up  to  the  recommendations  of  the
Strategy Paper and the Copenhagen conclusions.

Revised Accession Partnership

The  Commission’s  proposal  for  a  Council  decision  on  a  revised  Accession  Partnership  for
Turkey  is  annexed  to  this  Communication.  The  Accession  Partnership  sets  out  in  a  single
framework  the  priority  areas  for  further  work  identified  in  the  Commission’s  2002  Regular
Report on the progress made by Turkey  towards  accession, the financial means available to
help Turkey implement these priorities and the conditions which will apply to that assistance.
The  Copenhagen  European  Council  recognised  that  through  recent  legislative  packages  a
large number of priorities specified in the 2001 Accession Partnership have been addressed.
As  compared  to  the  Accession  Partnership  for  Turkey  adopted  by  Council  in  2001,  the
Commission’s  proposal  takes  full  account  of  developments  during  the  past  two  years  and
focuses clearly on areas where priority action is still needed. It is expected that on the basis of
this revised Accession Partnership Turkey will draw up a revised national programme for the
adoption of the acquis, and adopt, implement and enforce the necessary measures.

Financial assistance

Until  2002  Turkey  had  received  support  under  the  MEDA  programme  and  through  two
regulations  to  support  the  customs  union  and  economic  and  social  development.  For  the
period  to  1999  the  key  aim  of  assistance  to  Turkey  had  been  to  accompany  the  process  of
structural reform, as for other Mediterranean partners.

2

Following the Helsinki European Council, a pre-accession orientation  was  introduced  to the
financial  assistance  programmes  with  Turkey.  Assistance  continued  to  be  available  for
structural  adjustment,  in  co-ordination  with  the  international  financial  institutions,  but
assistance  also  began  to  focus  on  institution  building,  investment,  and  supporting  the
participation of Turkey in Community programmes and agencies. The Council adopted on 17
December  2001  a  regulation  concerning  pre-accession  financial  assistance  for  Turkey.  The
regulation  reiterated  the  Commission’s  objective  to  establish  pre-accession  financial
assistance, on average, at an annual level of €177 million.

In  its  Strategy  Paper  of  2002,  the  Commission  envisaged  that  total  assistance  should  be
substantially  increased,  taking  into  account  Turkey’s  needs  and  absorptive  capacity.  The
Copenhagen conclusions  confirmed  that  from  2004  this  assistance  would  be  financed  under
the  “pre-accession  expenditure”  heading  of  the  2000-2006  financial  perspectives.  The
Commission has adopted on 12 February 2003 a proposal to this effect in COM(2003)70 of
11.02.2003 and transmitted it to the Budget Authority.

During  the  period  2004-2006  pre-accession  financial  assistance  will  focus  on  supporting
Turkey’s  efforts  to  meet  the  Copenhagen  criteria,  and  in  particular  to  strengthening
institutional capacity and investment related to the adoption of the acquis. Assistance will also
be available for improving the functioning of Turkey’s economy and its capacity to cope with
competitive pressure within the internal market. Cross-border co-operation with EU Member
States and candidate countries will also be promoted.

As  for  all  candidate  countries,  assistance  will  fall  under  two  main  headings:  institution
building and investment. Institution building will take the form of assistance to help Turkey to
implement the  acquis  and  to  prepare  for  participation  in  EU  policies  such  as  economic  and
social  cohesion.  In  this  area  support  may  be  made  available  to  public  authorities  at  central,
regional  and  local  level.  Institution  building  support  will  mainly  be  deployed  and
implemented with Member States through the instrument of twinning. Assistance will also be
given  to  support  organisations  which  will  have  an  important  role  in  helping  prepare  for
accession and implement the acquis (e.g. organisations involved in the social dialogue such as
employers’  federations,  and  trades  unions,  as  well  as  professional  organisations  such  as
chambers of commerce and  agriculture, and other  representative bodies).  Non-governmental
organisations could also benefit from assistance with a view to supporting initiatives aimed at
the  consolidation  and  further  development  of  democratic  practices,  the  rule  of  law,  human
rights, equality for women and men and the protection of minorities.

Investment will take two forms. First, there may be  investment to  establish or to strengthen
the regulatory infrastructure needed to ensure compliance with the acquis and direct, acquis-
related investments. Investment in the regulatory infrastructure will only be made on the basis
of a clear-cut government strategy supported as necessary by institution building. Second, part
of  the  assistance  programme  will  be  directed  towards  investment  in  economic  and  social
cohesion, taking into account the importance of regional disparities between Turkish regions
as well as the gap between Turkey’s national income and the EU average.

The  revised  Accession  Partnership  will  provide  the  basis  for  programming  pre-accession
assistance; priorities for assistance will also be drawn from the Regular Reports and Turkey’s
national programme for the adoption of the acquis. In these reports, special attention will be
drawn to the  political  criteria. A  number  of priority  areas  can already be identified,  such  as
justice  and  home  affairs  including  migration,  maritime  safety,  the  environment,  health,
agriculture and rural development. A significant increase in funding will also allow the EU to
support  socio-economic  development  in  Turkey,  as  it  relates  to  the  goals  of  the  accession

3

strategy. The existing instrument providing pre-accession financial assistance for Turkey1 can
support programmes in  all  these  areas,  including  investment  in  transport  and  environmental
infrastructure and in rural development programmes.

Turkey  needs  to  further  improve  its  capacity  to  manage  and  use  these  funds  effectively.  In
order  to  facilitate  the  full  devolution  of  implementation,  Turkey  will  need  to  take  further
measures  to  ensure  sound  financial  control.  It  is  therefore  expected  that  the  Decentralised
Implementation System will be operational from 1 June 2003.

The  Commission  considers  that  it  would  be  useful  at  this  stage  to  indicate  the  level  of
financial  assistance  for  Turkey  over  the  next  three  years.  This  will  facilitate  multi-annual
planning in areas where it will take more than one year to address the objectives. The amounts
concerned, which will need to be approved  through the  annual budgetary  procedure,  are set
out in the following table:

2004

2005

2006

Total

Pre-accession  financial
assistance for Turkey

€  million, 
prices

current

250

300

500

1050

Enhancing co-operation in other areas

The  Commission’s  2002  Strategy  Paper  presented  recommendations  in  a  number  of  other
areas  for  enhancing  support  for  Turkey’s  pre-accession  preparations.  The  Commission’s
actions and plans in these areas are summarised below:

– 

– 

– 

– 

1

The  enhanced  political  dialogue  between  the  EU  and  Turkey  covers  political
reforms, human rights, the Cyprus issue and the matter of the peaceful settlement of
border disputes. It currently takes place in a wide range of meetings, both under the
Association  Agreement,  the  Helsinki  European  Council  Conclusions,  and  covering
Turkey’s  role  as  an  ESDP  partner.  This  offers  a  flexible  framework  which  can  be
further intensified on any CFSP issue as required. As from 2003 the Commission is
supplementing  this  dialogue  with  regular  and  detailed  discussions  with  the  Turkish
authorities  on  the  reforms  and  the  progress  in  meeting  the  Copenhagen  political
criteria, with particular emphasis on effective implementation.

The  enhanced  economic  dialogue  between  the  EU  and  Turkey  covering  issues  of
macroeconomic  performance  and  stability  and  economic  reforms  is  being  pursued
intensively.

The  process  of  legislative  scrutiny,  carried  out  in  the  framework  of  the  sub-
committees  of  the  Association  Agreement,  is  being  supplemented  by  enhanced
programmes  of  TAIEX  seminars  and  technical  meetings  or  workshops  on  specific
subjects.

Efforts  are  continuing  to  reinforce  and  extend  the  scope  of  the  customs  union  to
cover  services  and  public  procurement.  Further  efforts  are  being  made  to  remove

Regulation (EC) 2500 of 17 December 2001

4

                                                
– 

– 

– 

– 

obstacles to the free circulation of goods and strengthen co-operation in other areas
related to the customs union.

The  deepening  of  trade  relations  with  Turkey,  both  on  a  bilateral  basis  and  in
relations with third countries, is being pursued. In negotiating trade agreements with
third  countries,  the  EU  is  stepping  up  efforts  to  ensure  that  such  countries  agree
similar  arrangements  with  Turkey.  The  dialogue  between  the  EU  and  Turkey  on
trade issues is being enhanced.

In  the  area  of  justice  and  home  affairs,  the  Commission  is  assisting  Turkey  in
drawing  up  strategies  and  action  plans  on  border  management,  and  asylum  and
migration,  in  order  to  comply  with  the  acquis.  Co-operation  will  also  include  the
fight against corruption. As from 2003 Turkey is eligible to participate in AGIS, the
framework programme to help police, the judiciary and professionals from member
states  and  candidate  countries  to  co-operate  in  criminal  matters  and  in  the  fight
against crime.

In the area of maritime safety, technical assistance to Turkey  is being strengthened,
and this will be a priority sector for enhancing co-operation.

In  the  course  of  2003  Turkey  will  start  to  participate  in  the  following  Community
programmes:  Enterprise  and  Entrepreneurship,  Gender  Equality,  Combating
Discrimination,  Combating  Social  Exclusion,  Public  Health,  Incentive  Measures  in
the  field  of  Employment,  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme  on  Research.  The
preparatory  measures  necessary  for  full  participation  in  the  Socrates,  Leonardo  da
Vinci  and  Youth  Programmes  in  2004  will  be  implemented  by  Turkey  with  the
technical  and  financial  assistance  of  the  Commission.  In  January  2003  Turkey
became  a  member  of  the  European  Environment  Agency.  Participation  in  other
programmes is being prepared.

5

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

BUDGET HEADING:

B7-050 – Pre-accession financial assistance to Turkey

2.

TITLE:

[…]

DATE: […]

Revision  of 

the  Accession  Partnership  and  Communication  on

Strengthening the Accession Strategy for Turkey.

3.

LEGAL BASIS:

Council Regulation N° 2500/2001 of 17 December 2001.

4.

AIMS:

The  overall  objective  of  pre-accession  financial  assistance  to  turkey  is  to  help  the
country  prepare  for  accession  to  the  European  Union  on  the  basis  of  the  priorities
identified in the Accession Partnership for Turkey.  Pre-accession financial  assistance
programming  has  also  taken  careful  account  of  the  findings  of  the  Commission’s
Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards accession, the priorities identified in the
Government of Turkey’s National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis, and the
issues arising in Association Committee sub-committee discussions under the aegis of
the EC-Turkey Association Agreement.

Programmes in 2004-2006 will cover the following main elements :

(cid:1)  The Copenhagen political criteria

(cid:1)  Economic reform and support to new regulatory bodies

(cid:1)  Strengthening public administration

(cid:1)  Justice and home affairs

(cid:1)  Economic and social cohesion

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

2004
(EUR million)

2005
 (EUR million)

2006
(EUR million)

EXPENDITURE
-

CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET

250

300

500

CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE
RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET?
CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF
THE CURRENT BUDGET?

6.2 WILL A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET BE NECESSARY?
6.3 WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS?
OBSERVATIONS:
Appropriations within the Heading 7 of the financial perspectives 2000-2006.

6

NO

NO
NO
YES

5.

5.0

6.0

6.1

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 390/2001 of 26 February 2001 on assistance to
Turkey in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, and in particular on the establishment
of Accession Partnerships, 2 and in particular to Article 2 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The  Copenhagen  European  Council  of  Copenhagen  "recalled  its  decision  in  1999  in
Helsinki that Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the
same  criteria  as  applied  to  the  other  candidate  states.  It  strongly  welcomes  the
important  steps  taken  by  Turkey  towards  meeting  the  Copenhagen  criteria,  in
particular  through  the  recent  legislative  packages  and  the  subsequent  legislative
measures  which  cover  a  large  number  of  key  priorities  specified  in  the  Accession
Partnership".

The  Copenhagen  Council  decided  that  "in  order  to  assist  Turkey  towards  EU
membership, the accession strategy for Turkey shall be strengthened. The Commission
is invited to submit a proposal for a revised Accession Partnership".

Regulation  (EC)  No  390/2001  provides  that  the  Council  is  to  decide,  by  a  qualified
majority and following a proposal from the Commission, on the principles, priorities,
intermediate  objectives  and  conditions  contained  in  the  individual  Accession
Partnership,  as  it  will  be  submitted  to  Turkey,  as  well  as  on  subsequent  significant
adjustments applicable to it.

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

2

OJ L 58, 28.2.2001, p. 1.

7

                                                
(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

The EC-Turkey Association Council decided that the implementation of the Accession
Partnership  for  Turkey  will  be  monitored  by  the  Association  Agreement  bodies  as
appropriate.

The  Commission's  2002  regular  report  presented  an  objective  analysis  on  Turkey's
preparations  for  membership  and  identified  a  number  of  priority  areas  for  further
work.

In order to prepare for membership, Turkey should prepare a 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,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In  accordance  with  Article  2  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  390/2001,  the  principles,  priorities,
intermediate objectives and conditions in the Accession Partnership for Turkey 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  and  monitored  in  the
Association  Agreement  bodies  and  by  the  appropriate  Council  bodies  on  the  basis  of  the
Regular Report by the Commission to the Council. .

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council
The President

8

ANNEX

TURKEY: 2003 ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP

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 Turkey was decided in March 2001. In the Commission's
Strategy Paper on enlargement of 9 October 2002, it was stated that the Commission would
propose a revised Accession Partnership for Turkey.

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 2002 Regular Report on the progress made by
Turkey  towards  accession,  the  financial  means  available  to  help  Turkey  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.  It  is  expected  that  Turkey  on  the  basis  of  this
revised  Accession  Partnership  adopts  a  revised  national  programme  for  the  adoption  of  the
acquis.

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:

-

-

-

that the candidate State has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy,
the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;

the existence of a functioning market economy, as well as the capacity to cope with
competitive pressure and market forces within the Union;

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.

9

4. 

PRIORITIES

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  the  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 some countries and the opening of new
negotiations with the others.

The  priorities  in the Accession Partnership are divided into two  groups  - short  and  medium
term. Those under the short term have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect
that  Turkey  can  fulfil  them  in  2003/2004.  The  priorities  listed  under  the  medium  term  are
expected  to  take  more  than  one  year  to  complete  although  work  should  be  taken  forward
substantially in 2003/2004.

that  Turkey  fulfils 

The Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Turkey's membership preparations.
Turkey will nevertheless have to  address all issues identified  in the  regular  report.  It is also
important 
legislative  approximation  and
the  commitments  of 
implementation  of  the  acquis  in  accordance  with  the  commitments  made  under  the
Association  Agreement,  customs  union  and  related  decisions  of  the  EC-Turkey  Association
Council for example on the trade regime for agricultural products. 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  have
been identified for Turkey:

ENHANCED POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND POLITICAL CRITERIA

Priorities (2003/2004)

In the context of the political dialogue established by the Helsinki European Council, strongly
support  efforts  to  find  a  comprehensive  settlement  of  the  Cyprus  problem,  building  on  the
initiatives of the United Nations Secretary General, which remain on the table.

In  accordance with the Helsinki  Conclusions,  in  the  context  of  the  political  dialogue,  under
the  principle  of  peaceful  settlement  of  disputes  in  accordance  with  the  UN  Charter,  make
every effort to resolve any outstanding border disputes and other related issues, as referred to
in point 4 of the Helsinki conclusions.

Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its optional protocol and
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Ratify Protocol N° 6 of
the European Convention on Human Rights.  Comply with the European  Convention for the
Protection  of  Human  Rights  and  Fundamental  Freedoms,  and  in  particular  with  the
judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (section II of the Convention).

Implement measures to fight against torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, in
line with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Recommendations
of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. Adopt further measures to ensure

10

that prosecutors  conduct timely and effective investigations of  alleged  cases  and  that  courts
impose adequate punishments on those convicted of abuses.

Guarantee in practice the right for detained and imprisoned persons to access in private to a
lawyer  and  to  have  relatives  notified,  from  the  outset  of  their  custody,  in  line  with  the
European Convention on Human Rights.

Guarantee  in  law  and  in  practice  the  full  enjoyment  of  human  rights  and  fundamental
freedoms by all individuals without discrimination and irrespective of language, race, colour,
sex,  political  opinion,  religion  or  belief  in  line  with  relevant  international  and  European
instruments to which Turkey is a party.

Pursue  and  implement  reforms  concerning  freedom  of  expression  including  freedom  of  the
press. Lift legal restrictions in line with the European Convention on Human Rights (Articles
10, 17 and 18). Remedy the situation of those persons prosecuted or sentenced for non-violent
expression  of  opinion.  Implement  legal  provisions  on  the  right  to  re-trial  following  the
relevant judgement of the European Court of Human Rights.

Pursue and implement reforms concerning freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Lift
legal restrictions in line with the European Convention on Human Rights including for trade
unions, (Articles 11, 17 and 18). Encourage the development of civil society.

Adapt and implement provisions concerning  the exercise of  freedom  of thought,  conscience
and  religion  by  all  individuals  and  religious  communities  in  line  with  Article  9  of  the
European  Convention  on  Human  Rights.  Establish  conditions  for  the  functioning  of  these
communities, in line with the practice of EU Member States. This includes legal and judicial
protection  of  the  communities,  their  members  and  their  assets,  teaching,  appointing  and
training  of  clergy,  and  the  enjoyment  of  property  rights  in  line  with  Protocol  No.  1  of  the
European Convention on Human Rights.

Ensure  cultural  diversity  and  guarantee  cultural  rights  for  all  citizens  irrespective  of  their
origin.  Ensure  effective  access  to  Radio/TV  broadcasting  and  education  in  languages  other
than  Turkish  through  implementation  of  existing  measures  and  the  removal  of    remaining
restrictions that impede this access .

Adapt the functioning of the National Security Council in order to align civilian control of the
military with practice in EU Member States.

Strengthen  the  independence  and  efficiency  of  the  judiciary  and  promote  consistent
interpretation  of  legal  provisions  related  to  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms  in  line
with the European Convention on Human Rights. Take measures with a view to ensuring that
the  obligation  for  all  judicial  authorities  to  take  into  account  the  case  law  of  the  European
Court  of  Human  Rights  is  respected.  Align  the  functioning  of  State  Security  Courts  with
European standards. Prepare the establishment of intermediate courts of appeal.

Continue to bring conditions in prisons into line with standards in EU Member States.

Extend  the  training  of  law  enforcement  officials  on  human  rights  issues  and  modern
investigation  techniques,  in  particular  as  regards  the  fight  against  torture  and  ill-treatment.
Extend the training of judges and prosecutors on the application of the European Convention
on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

11

Continue efforts to develop a comprehensive approach to reduce regional disparities, and in
particular  to  improve  the  situation  in  the  south-east,  with  a  view  to  enhancing  economic,
social and cultural opportunities for all citizens.

SHORT TERM

ECONOMIC CRITERIA

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ensure  the  implementation  of  the  current  disinflation  and  structural  reform
programme  agreed  with  the  IMF  and  the  World  Bank,  in  particular,  ensure  the
control of public expenditure.

Continue  the  swift  implementation  of  the  financial  sector  reform,  in  particular  the
alignment  of  prudential  and  transparency  regulations  and  their  surveillance  with
international standards.

Safeguard the independence of market regulatory authorities.

Proceed with agricultural reforms.

Accelerate  the  privatisation  of  state-owned  entities,  taking  into  account  the  social
component.

Continue with market liberalisation, in particular in the areas of tobacco and sugar.

Facilitate and promote the inflow of foreign direct investments.

Enhance the  economic  dialogue with the  EU,  in  particular  in  the  framework  of  the
Pre-accession  Fiscal  Surveillance  procedures,  with  emphasis  on  appropriate
measures  to  achieve  macroeconomic  stability  and  predictability  and  on  the
implementation of structural reforms.

ABILITY TO ASSUME THE OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

Free movement of goods

-

-

-

Remove  technical  and  administrative  barriers  to  trade.  Accelerate  alignment  and
application  of  European  standards.  Ensure  effective  in-market  control  and  free
movement of goods in line with internal market legislation.

Start  implementing  certification  and  conformity  assessment  and  marking  in
compliance with the New and Global Approach directives; reinforce existing market
surveillance  and  conformity-assessment  structures  with  equipment  and  training  and
create  compatible  administrative  infrastructure;  complete  work  relating  to  mutual
recognition in sectors that are not harmonised;

Complete work relating to mutual recognition and acquis alignment as regards non-
harmonized areas (Articles 28-30 EC and related legislative instruments).

12

-

-

-

Develop  an  effective  metrology  infrastructure  and  restructure  the  Turkish  Standard
Institute  to  allow  for  the  separation  of  functions  relating  to  standardisation,
certification and market surveillance.

Complete alignment of the public procurement legislation with the acquis.

Increase the capacity of the Public Procurement Authority to implement and monitor
the new Public Procurement Law.

Freedom to provide services

-

-

-

-

-

Start identification and remove potential obstacles to EC Treaty provisions related to
the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

Align with the acquis as regards provision of services in the information society.

Complete  legislative  alignment  in  financial  services  and  strengthen  the  supervisory
structures  and  enforcement  record  including  maintaining  the  independence  of
regulatory bodies.

Align fully with the EU banking and insurance legislation and establish an insurance
supervisory authority.

Align with the acquis on personal data protection.

Free movement of capital

-

Remove all restrictions affecting foreign investments (originating from the EU) in all
economic sectors in Turkey

Company Law

-

-

Complete alignment with the acquis on company and accounting legislation.

Complete  alignment  with  the  acquis  on  intellectual  and  industrial  property  rights
including IPR legislation for pharmaceuticals and strengthen the fight against piracy
and counterfeiting.

Competition

-

-

-

-

-

Align  with  the  acquis  concerning  State  aids  and  establish  a  national  state  aid
monitoring authority to ensure an effective state aid control based on EC criteria.

Align legislation concerning monopolies and undertakings with special and exclusive
rights, with the relevant acquis.

Complete alignment in secondary legislation in the antitrust field.

Strengthen the  enforcement  record in the  anti-trust  field,  in  particular against state-
owned undertakings, or undertakings having special and exclusive rights.

Reduce  delays 
infringements.

in 

finalising  appeal  applications  concerning  competition

13

Agriculture

-

-

-

-

-

Complete  the  establishment  of  animal  identification  systems,  which  are  a  key
element of the Integrated Administration and Control System. Also begin preparatory
work on other elements such as the land parcel identification systems.

Prepare  a  strategy  for  the  introduction  of  the  EC  rural  development  policy  and  the
forestry strategy .

Adopt  a  veterinary  framework  law  and  acquis  harmonised  secondary  legislation;
strengthen  the  human,  technical  and  information  resources  of  the  relevant
administrative,  scientific,  testing  and  inspection;  ensure  enforcement  of  legislation;
step  up  animal  disease  eradication  efforts,  contingency  planning  and  monitoring
capacity.

Identify  sites  for  the  development  and  operation  of  an  EC-compatible  system  of
Border Inspection Posts with third countries.

Adopt  a  programme  for  transposition  of  the  veterinary  and  phytosanitary  acquis;
strengthen the administrative, scientific and technical structures enabling the efficient
and  effective  implementation  of  the  acquis  on  plant  protection,  in  particular
laboratory  testing;  strengthen  inspection  arrangements  in  respect  of  the  domestic
production  as  imports  of  plants  and  plant  products  and  in  food-processing
establishments.

Fisheries

-

Align fisheries management, control, marketing and structural adjustment legislation
to the acquis.

Transport

-

-

-

-

-

Adopt  a  programme  for  transposition  and  implementation  of  the  transport  acquis
including air transport.

Start  aligning  legislation  on  maritime  safety  as  well  as  road  and  rail  transport;
improve implementation and enforcement of, in particular, maritime safety and road
transport standards.

Adopt  an  action  plan  for  maritime  transport  on  monitoring  classification  societies
and improving the performance of the Turkish flag register.

Strengthen maritime administration, particularly that of flag state control.

Adopt  a  programme  for  adaptation  of  the  Turkish  road  transport  fleet  to  EU
standards.

Taxation

-

Continue  alignment  of  excise  duties  and  VAT,  in  particular  in  respect  of  applied
rates,  scope  of  exempt  transactions,  and  tax  structure  and  eliminate  tax  measures
which may result in discriminatory treatments; ensure that new tax measures comply
with the principles of the Code of Conduct for Business Taxation.

14

-

Modernise  and  strengthen  the  Tax  Administration  with  a  view  to  increasing
taxpayer's compliance and to improving the collection of tax revenues.

Statistics

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ratify a new statistical law in line with EU standards.

Adopt the pending basic Classifications (e.g. NACE, CPA, PRODCOM etc.) by SIS
and by all public institutions of the Turkish statistical system.

Fully adopt the relevant Statistical Units (e.g. KAU, LKAU, etc.).

Revise the National Accounts methodology for the implementation of ESA 95.

Reinforce the strategy for the development of statistics in particular in the following
areas: demographic  and  Labour  Force  Survey  statistics,  regional  statistics,  business
statistics (including Business Register) and agriculture statistics.

Ensure adequate training of staff and improve the administrative capacity.

Social Policy and Employment

-

-

-

-

-

-

Energy

-

-

-

Adopt  a  transposition  programme  of  the  acquis  in  the  areas  of  labour  law,  equal
treatment  for  women  and  men,  health  and  safety  at  work,  the  fight  against
discrimination, and public health.

Develop  a  yearly  plan  for  financing  investment,  based  on  a  realistic  assessment  of
costs of alignment and of available public and private resources.

Put  in  place  conditions  for  an  active  and  autonomous  bipartite  as  well  as  tripartite
social  dialogue,  inter  alia  by  abolishing  restrictive  provisions  on  trade  union
activities and ensuring that trade union rights are respected.

Support  social  partners'  capacity  building  efforts,  in  particular  with  a  view  to  their
future  role  in  the  elaboration  and  implementation  of  employment  and  social  policy
notably through autonomous social dialogue.

Continue efforts to tackle the problem of child labour.

Review the capacity of all institutions involved in the transposition of the acquis in
the field.

Establish  a  programme  for  the  adoption  of  the  energy  acquis,  particularly  that
concerning issues other than the internal energy market.

Ensure  independence  and  effective  functioning  of  the  regulatory  authority  for  the
electricity  and  gas  sectors;  grant  the  authority  the  means  to  carry  out  its  tasks
effectively.

Ensure the establishment of a competitive internal energy market, in compliance with
the electricity and gas directives.

15

-

-

Ensure  further  alignment  with  the  energy  efficiency  acquis  and  enhance  the
implementation of energy conservation practices.

Design  and  start  to  implement  a  programme  to  reduce  the  energy  intensity  of  the
Turkish economy and to increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Industrial policy

-

Develop  and  implement  a  strategy  for  the  promotion  of  foreign  investment  into
Turkey.

Small and medium enterprises

-

-

Develop and implement a national  SME strategy  in  line  with  the  European  Charter
for  Small  Enterprises  and 
the  Multiannual  Programme  for  Enterprise  and
Entrepreneurship. This should include the improvement of the business environment
for SMEs, particularly where access to finance is concerned.

Align the SME definition with the EU definition.

Education, Training and Youth

-

Take appropriate measures to set up a body able to perform the duties of a National
Agency  as  well  as  all  necessary  mechanisms  for  the  implementation  and  sound
financial management of the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth Programmes.

Telecommunications and information technology

-

-

-

-

-

Adopt  regulations  in  the  areas  of  leased  lines,  data  protection  in  electronic
communications, interconnection and universal service, carrier selection and number
portability.

Ensure effective implementation of tariffing and licensing legislation.

Prepare a schedule for the transposition of the new acquis 2002.

Strengthen  the  capacity  building  and  the  enforcement  powers  of  the  regulatory
authority.

Start alignment with the acquis on postal services.

Culture and Audio-Visual policy

-

Start  alignment  of  legislation  in  the  field  of  audio-visual  policy,  in  particular  with
regard  to  the  television-without-frontier  Directive  and  ensure  effective,  predictable,
and transparent implementation of the new regulatory framework.

Regional policy and co-ordination of structural instruments

-

Start  to  develop  a  national  policy  for  economic  and  social  cohesion  aimed  at
reducing  regional  disparities  through  a  National  Development  Plan,  and  the
establishment of regional development plans at NUTS 2 level.

16

-

-

-

Adopt a legislative framework that would facilitate the implementation of the acquis
under this chapter.

Establish  pluri-annual  budgeting  procedures  setting  out  priority  criteria  for  public
investment in the regions.

Strengthen the administrative structures for managing regional development.

Environment

-

-

-

-

Adopt a programme for transposition of the acquis.

Develop  a  plan  for  financing  investment,  based  on  the  estimations  of  costs  of
alignment and realistic sources for public and private finance.

Begin  to  transpose  and  implement  the  acquis  related  to  the  framework  legislation,
legislation  on  nature  protection,  water  quality,  Integrated  Pollution  Prevention
Control and waste management.

Implement and enforce the environmental impact assessment directive.

Consumer protection and Health

-

-

Further  align  legislation  with  the  acquis  and  develop  infrastructure  for  effective
implementation, in particular with regard to market surveillance.

Further develop systems for notification of dangerous products on national level and
exploit the possibilities to exchange such notifications on international level through
TRAPEX or other relevant systems.

Co-operation in the field of Justice and home affairs

-

-

-

-

-

Continue  to  strengthen  the  fight  against  illegal  immigration  and  negotiate  a
readmission agreement with the European Community.

Continue  to  strengthen  the  fight  against  organised  crime,  drugs,  trafficking  in
persons,  fraud,  corruption  and  money-laundering,  particularly  through  legislative
alignment,  improved  administrative  capacity  and  enhanced  co-operation  between
different law-enforcement bodies, in line with EU standards.

Further develop and strengthen all relevant institutions, with a view in particular to
ensuring  the  accountability  of  the  police.  Improve  co-operation  between  all  law
enforcement institutions, including the judiciary.

Improve  the  capacity  of  public  administration  to  develop  an  effective  border
management in line with the acquis and best practices with a view to prevent illegal
migration.

Strengthen  efforts  to  develop  information  and  awareness  programmes  on  the
legislation and best practices in the European Union in the field of JHA.

17

Customs Union

-

-

-

-

-

-

Align  legislation  on  free  zones  and  ensure  enforcement  of  the  new  Customs  Code
and its implementing provisions.

Strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of the customs administration.

Ensure  full  administrative  co-operation  concerning  compliance  with  the  acquis  and
the provisions of Decision 1/95 notably in anti-fraud investigations.

Ensure that state monopolies of a commercial character are adjusted so as to ensure
no discrimination in trade of goods between Turkey and EU Member States.

Start a new round of negotiations on Services and Public Procurement.

In  parallel  with  the  alignment  of  commercial  policy  with  that  of  the  Community,
align rules of origin with those of EC preferential regimes, including GSP.

External relations

-

-

Complete  alignment  with  EC  Common  commercial  Policy,  by  aligning  with  EC
preferential regimes including GSP.

Continue  efforts  to  conclude  outstanding  Free  Trade  Agreements  with  third
Countries as foreseen under the Customs Union Decision.

Financial control

-

-

Adopt legislation on public internal financial control in accordance with EU practice
and  internationally  agreed  control  and  audit  standards  and  ensure  its  effective
implementation.

Strengthen the administrative capacity for the treatment of irregularities and cases of
suspected 
the  effective
communication of irregularities to the Commission.

fraud  affecting  pre-accession  assistance, 

including 

Financial and Budgetary Provisions

-

-

Establish decentralised implementation system for  management  of  Community pre-
accession funds.

Apply  the  new  budget  code  structure  published  by  the  Ministry  of  Finance  to  all
public  entities,  including  budgetary,  extra-budgetary  and  revolving  funds,  for  the
2004 budget.

MEDIUM TERM

ECONOMIC CRITERIA

-

Complete the process of privatisation.

18

-

-

-

Complete the reform of the financial sector  and  continue reform of the  agricultural
sector.

Ensure the sustainability of the pension and social security system.

Ensure  the  improvement  of  the  general  level  of  education  and  health,  paying
particular attention to the younger generation and disadvantaged regions.

ABILITY TO ASSUME THE OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

Free movement of goods

-

-

-

Complete alignment with the acquis; complete strengthening of existing certification,
market surveillance and conformity-assessment structures.

Ensure the proper functioning of the Public Procurement Authority.

Ensure effective implementation and control of the public procurement regime in line
with the acquis.

Free movement of persons

-

Achieve  alignment  with 
qualifications.

Free movement of capital

the  acquis  as  regards  recognition  of  professional

-

Remove  all  restrictions  affecting  the  acquisition  of  real  estate  in  Turkey  by  EU
citizens and legal persons.

Freedom to provide services

-

-

Complete and implement aligned legislation in this area and remove all obstacles to
the right of establishment and freedom to provide services.

Ensure effective application of personal data protection legislation

Company Law

-

Ensure  the  effective  application  of  the  aligned  intellectual  and  industrial  property
legislation  through  the  strengthening  of  enforcement  structures  and  mechanisms,
including the judiciary.

Agriculture

-

-

-

Complete the establishment of the Integrated Administration and Control System.

Set  up  the  administrative  structures  required  for  the  implementation  of  EC  rural
development policy and the forestry strategy .

Adopt the legal basis, administrative structures and implementation mechanisms for
the  establishment  of  common  market  organisations  and  effective  monitoring  of
agricultural markets.

19

-

-

-

Submit  a  plan  and  timetable  for  upgrading  the  system  of  Border  Inspection  Posts
third countries in line with the acquis.

Re-organise  and  strengthen  the  food  safety  and  control  system  and  upgrade  its
human, technical and financial resources to ensure that EC food safety standards are
complied with.

Establish  an  up-grading  plan  with  timetables  to  modernise  food-processing
establishments  to  meet  EC  hygiene  and  public  health  standards,  and  further
establishment of testing and diagnostic facilities.

Fisheries

-

Re-organise and strengthen the institutional capacity of the fisheries administration;
align fisheries management, control, marketing and structural adjustment practices to
the  acquis;  develop  and  implement  a  computerised  fisheries  vessel  registration  and
statistical information system in compliance with the acquis.

Transport

-

-

-

-

Complete alignment on road transport legislation (market access, road safety as well
as social, fiscal and technical rules), railways and air transport (particularly air safety
and air traffic management).

Ensure  effective 
particularly as regards maritime safety, road transport as well as air transport.

implementation  and  enforcement  of 

transport 

legislation,

Implement  a  programme  of  adaptation  of  the  Turkish  transport  fleet,  particularly
maritime and road transport to EC technical norms.

Adopt a programme  with a view to identifying main transport  infrastructures needs
in  Turkey  and  related  transport  network  projects,  in  coherence  with  the  European
Community TEN-Transport Guidelines

Taxation

-

-

Complete  alignment  of  tax  legislation  further  with  the  EU  acquis  with  particular
regard to VAT and excise duties.

Continue strengthening and modernising  the  tax administration  in  order  to  increase
compliance and improve collection of tax revenues.

Economic and monetary union

-

-

Align  legislation  with  the  provisions  of  the  acquis  regarding  central  bank
independence,  the  prohibition  of  privileged  access  of  public  sector  authorities  to
financial institutions and the prohibition of direct financing of the public sector.

Fully harmonize government finance statistics with the ESA 95 requirements

Statistics

-

Bring the Business Register up to EU standards.

20

-

Align macro-economic statistics further with the acquis, in particular as regards GDP
estimates,  harmonised  consumer  price  indexes,  short-term  indicators,  balance  of
payment, social statistics.

Social policy and Employment

-

-

-

-

-

-

Energy

-

-

-

-

Transpose and implement EU legislation in the fields of labour law, equal treatment
for  women  and  men,  occupational  health  and  safety,  public  health  including  the
communicable  disease  surveillance  and  control  system  and  the  fight  against
discrimination;  strengthen  the  related  administrative  and  enforcement  structures,
including the labour inspectorates.

Take  measures  to  promote  access  to  and  quality  of  health  care  and  to  improve  the
health status of the population.

Ensure  effective  implementation  and  enforcement  of  the  social  policy  and
employment acquis.

Prepare  a  national  employment  strategy  with  a  view  to  later  participation  in  the
European Employment Strategy, including preparation and implementation of a Joint
Employment  Policy  Review,  and  develop  a  capacity  to  monitor  labour  market  and
social developments.

Prepare a national strategy on social inclusion, including data collection, in line with
EU practice.

Further develop social protection, notably by consolidating the reform of the social
security and pension system with a view to making it financially sustainable, while
strengthening the social safety net.

Restructure  energy  utilities  and  open  up  energy  markets  in  conformity  with  the
acquis; further strengthen administrative and regulatory structures.

Remove restrictions on the cross-border trade in energy.

Complete alignment of national legislation with the acquis.

Promote  the  implementation  of  projects  in  Turkey  listed  as  projects  of  common
interest in the European Community TEN-Energy Guidelines

Small and medium enterprises

-

Continue simplifying the business environment for SMEs.

Telecommunications and information technology

-

-

-

Prepare for full liberalisation of the markets.

Complete the transposition of the acquis.

Adopt a comprehensive policy for the development of the electronic communications
sector.

21

Culture and Audio-Visual Policy

-

Complete alignment of audio-visual legislation and strengthen the capabilities of the
independent television/radio regulatory authority.

Regional policy and co-ordination of structural instruments

-

Set up regional branches at NUTS 2 level to implement regional development plans.

Environment

-

-

the 

transposition  of 

Complete 
institutional,
administrative and monitoring capacity to ensure environmental protection, including
data collection.

the  acquis  and  strengthen 

the 

Integrate sustainable development principles into the  definition  and implementation
of all other sectoral policies.

Consumer protection and Health

-

-

Complete legislative alignment with the acquis

Raise  awareness  for  the  new  provisions  among  consumers  and  producers  and
reinforce consumer organisations.

Customs Union

-

-

Complete  alignment  of  legislation  in  particular  on  free  zones,  dual-use  goods  and
technologies, precursors and counterfeited and pirated goods.

Ensure  interconnectivity  of  electronic  systems  with  the  Community  electronic
systems  (Installation  of  CCN/CSI,  developments  required  for  NCTS,  Integrated
Tariff Management System)

Justice and home affairs (JHA)

-

-

-

-

-

-

Strengthen efforts to develop sustainable training programmes on the acquis and its
implementation  in  the  field  of  JHA  also  with  a  view  to  increasing  administrative
capacity and improving inter-agency co-operation.

Further develop the legal aid system to ensure that all citizens enjoy access to justice.

Adopt the acquis in the field of data protection and exchange of personal data for law
enforcement  purposes  and  create  the  institutional  capacity  for  its  implementation
including  the  creation  of  an  independent  supervisory  authority  so  as  to  be  able  to
fully participate in the Schengen Information System and Europol.

Pursue alignment of visa legislation and practice with the acquis.

Adopt  and  implement  the  acquis  and  best  practices  on  migration  (admission,
readmission, expulsion) with a view to preventing illegal immigration.

Continue  alignment  with 
management so as to prepare for full implementation of the Schengen acquis.

the  acquis  and  best  practices  concerning  border

22

-

-

-

Start  with  the  alignment  of  the  acquis  in  the  field  of  asylum  including  lifting  the
geographical reservation to the 1951 Geneva Convention; strengthen the system for
hearing and determining  applications for  asylum;  develop  accommodation  facilities
and social support for asylum seekers and refugees.

Adopt  and  implement  the  acquis  in  the  fields  of  the  criminal  law  protection  of  the
euro  and  of  the  Community's  financial  interests,  corruption,  fight  against  drugs,
organised  crime,  money-laundering  and  judicial  co-operation  in  criminal  and  civil
matters; further increase administrative capacity, co-operation between the different
law enforcement bodies and intensify international co-operation in these fields.

Develop and  start  to  implement  a national  drug strategy  in line  with  the  EU  Drugs
Strategy and Action Plan.

Financial control

-

-

Prepare  for  the  designation  of  an  operationally  independent  anti-fraud  co-ordinate
service  responsible  for  the  co-ordination  of  all  legislative,  administrative  and
operational aspects of the protection of the Communities' financial interests.

Adopt  new  legislation  to  reform  the  external  audit  function  in  accordance  with
INTOSAI rules, to ensure the independence of the Court of Accounts, to abolish the
ex  ante  control  functions  of  the  Turkish  Court  of  Accounts,  and  to  develop  the
mechanisms of systems-based and performance audit.

Financial and Budgetary provisions

-

-

Strengthen administrative capacity for the collection of VAT and customs duties and
establish effective instruments to combat fraud

Establish  a  co-ordination  unit  responsible  for  administrative  preparations  related  to
the own resources systems.

5. 

PROGRAMMING

Financial  assistance  for  the  priorities  identified  in  the  Accession  Partnership  will  be  made
available  through  annual  financing  decisions  taken  by  the  Commission,  following  the
procedure  set  out  in  article  8  of  Council  Regulation  2500/2001  on  pre-accession  financial
assistance for Turkey. The financing decisions will be followed by a Financing Memorandum
signed with Turkey.

During  the  period  2003-2006  pre-accession  financial  assistance  will  focus  on  two  main
priorities,  institution  building  and  investment.  Institution  building  is  the  process  of  helping
candidate  countries  to  develop  the  structures,  strategies,  human  resources  and  management
skills needed to strengthen their economic, social, regulatory and administrative capacity. Pre-
accession  assistance  will  contribute  to  the  financing  of  institution  building  in  all  sectors.
Around  30%  of  the  available  resources  will  be  allocated  for  this  purpose  and  are  mainly
deployed and implemented with member states through the instrument of “twinning”.

The second priority, “investment” will take two forms:

23

-

-

investment  to  establish  or  to  strengthen  the  regulatory  infrastructure  needed
to  ensure
(implementation  bodies;  enforcement  and 
compliance with the acquis and direct, acquis-related investments;

inspection  capabilities) 

investment in  economic and social  cohesion,  taking  into  account  the  importance  of
regional  disparities  between  Turkish  regions  as  well  as  the  gap  between  Turkey’s
national income and the EU average. This will promote the functioning of the market
economy  and  the  capacity  to  cope  with  competitive  pressure  and  market  forces
within the EU.

Around  70%  of  resources  will  be  allocated  for  investment.  Cross  border  co-operation,
especially  at  the  present  external  frontiers  of  the  EU  and  also  between  adjacent  candidate
countries, is important in contributing to economic development in the border regions of these
countries.  As  part  of  investment  in  economic  and  social  cohesion,  efforts  will  be  made  to
promote participation by Turkey in cross border activities and to ensure consistency with the
INTERREG approach on Turkey’s borders with the EU.

Since 2000, the Commission has provided annual average assistance to Turkey of €177m. The
conclusions  of  the  Copenhagen  European  Council  recommended  that  this  amount  be
substantially increased from 2004. The Commission’s Strategy Paper “Towards an Enlarged
Union” envisaged at least doubling this level of assistance by 2006.

5.1. 

Role of international financial institutions

Turkey is a major beneficiary of  assistance  from the European  Investment  Bank  (EIB).  The
country may benefit from up to five different mandates and facilities: the EuroMed II Lending
Mandate  for  Mediterranean  countries,  the  Mediterranean  Partnership  Facility,  the  Special
Action  Mandate  for  Turkey,  the  Turkey  Earthquake  Reconstruction  and  Rehabilitation
Assistance  Facility  and  the  Pre-Accession  Facility.  In  total  Turkey  received  loan  financing
worth €445 million from 1992 to 1999. This has increased dramatically and over the period
2000-2002 EIB lending for projects in Turkey totalled €1500 million.

The  Commission  and  the  Turkish  authorities  have  also  sought  a  high  degree  of
complementarity between the pre-accession financial assistance programme and the on-going
reform  programmes  supported  by  the  international  financial  institutions,  particularly  the
World Bank, in such areas as education, regulatory reform and public procurement.

6. 

CONDITIONALITY

Community  assistance  for  financing  projects  through  the  pre-accession  instruments  is
conditional on the respect by Turkey of its commitments under the EC-Turkey Agreements,
including  the  Customs  Union  Decision  1/95  and  other  decisions,  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 5 of
Regulation  2500/2001.  Specific  conditions  are  also 
individual  annual
programmes.

included 

in 

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7. 

MONITORING

The  implementation  of  the  Accession  Partnership  is  monitored  in  the  framework  of  the
Association  Agreement.  The  Association  Agreement  sub-committees  provide  the  possibility
to  review  implementation  of  the  Accession  Partnership  priorities  as  well  as  progress  as
regards  legal  approximation,  implementation  and  enforcement.  The  Association  Committee
discusses  overall  developments,  progress  and  problems 
the  Accession
Partnership’s priorities as well as more specific issues referred to it from the sub-committees.

in  meeting 

The  monitoring  of  the  pre-accession  financial  assistance  programme  shall  be  carried  out
jointly by Turkey and the  European Commission  through a Joint Monitoring Committee.  In
order to ensure the effectiveness of monitoring, projects being  funded under each  Financing
Memorandum  must  incorporate  verifiable  and  measurable  indicators  of  achievements.
Monitoring  based  on  these  indicators  will  assist  the  Commission,  the  PHARE  Management
Committee  and  Turkey in  subsequently reorienting  programmes  where necessary  and in  the
design of new programmes.

The PHARE Management  Committee  ensures  that  actions  financed  under  the  pre-accession
programme are compatible with each other as well as with the Accession Partnership as laid
down in Council Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001, OJ L 342, 27.12.2001, p. 1).

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

25