2008/157/EC: Council Decision of 18 February 2008 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with the Republic of Turkey and repealing Decision 2006/35/EC
Date: 2008-02-18
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Türkiye, accession criteria, accession to the European Union, cooperation agreement (EU), financial aid

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(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 18 February 2008

on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with the
Republic of Turkey and repealing Decision 2006/35/EC

(2008/157/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

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 estab-
lishment of an Accession Partnership (1), and in particular
Article 2 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

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

On that basis the Council adopted an Accession Part-
nership with Turkey in 2001 and 2003 (2).

The Commission’s 2004 recommendation on Turkey
stressed that the European Union should continue the
monitoring of the political reform process and that a

(1) OJ L 58, 28.2.2001, p. 1.
(2) Decision 2001/235/EC (OJ L 85, 24.3.2001, p. 13) and Decision

2003/398/EC (OJ L 145, 12.6.2003, p. 40).

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

revised Accession Partnership should be proposed in
2005. Following that, the Council adopted a revised Part-
nership in January 2006 (3).

In December 2004 the European Council concluded that
the European Union would continue to monitor closely
the political reforms on the basis of an
progress of
Accession Partnership setting out priorities
the
reform process.

for

On 3 October 2005 the Member States started nego-
tiations with Turkey on its accession to the European
Union. The progress of the negotiations will be guided
by Turkey’s progress in preparing for accession, which
will be measured, inter alia, against the implementation of
the Accession Partnership, as regularly revised.

The Commission’s Communication on Enlargement
Strategy and Main Challenges 2006-2007 indicated that
the Partnerships would be updated at the end of 2007.

the
On 11 December 2006 the Council agreed that
Member States within the Intergovernmental Conference
would not decide on opening eight chapters covering
policy areas relevant to Turkey’s restrictions as regards
the Republic of Cyprus, nor would they decide on provi-
sionally closing chapters, until the Commission verified
that Turkey had fulfilled its commitments related to the
Additional Protocol.

(3) Decision 2006/35/EC (OJ L 22, 26.1.2006, p. 34).

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(8)

(9)

On 17 July 2006 the Council adopted Regulation (EC)
No 1085/2006 establishing an instrument
for Pre-
Accession Assistance (IPA) (1), which sets out a new
framework for
to pre-accession
countries.

assistance

financial

It is therefore appropriate to adopt a revised Accession
Partnership which updates the current Partnership in
order to identify renewed priorities for further work on
the basis of the findings of the 2007 Progress Report on
Turkey’s preparations for further integration with the
European Union.

contained in the Accession Partnership for Turkey are set out in
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

The implementation of
the Accession Partnership shall be
examined and monitored in the bodies established under the
Association Agreement and by the Council on the basis of
annual reports presented by the Commission.

Decision 2006/35/EC shall be repealed.

Article 3

(10)

In order to prepare for membership, Turkey should
develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures
to address the priorities of the Accession Partnership.

(11) Decision 2006/35/EC should be repealed,

Article 4

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

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Done at Brussels, 18 February 2008.

Article 1

In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 390/2001,
the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions

For the Council
The President

D. RUPEL

(1) OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 82.

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ANNEX

TURKEY 2007 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 adopted by the Council in March 2001. In the Commission’s Strategy
Paper on enlargement of October 2002, it was stated that the Commission would propose a revised Accession
Partnership for Turkey. A revised Accession Partnership was then presented by the Commission in March 2003 and
adopted by the Council in May of the same year. In its recommendation of October 2004 the Commission proposed
that, with a view to guaranteeing the sustainability and irreversibility of the political reform process, the EU should
continue to monitor closely progress of the political reforms. In particular, the Commission proposed the adoption
of a revised Accession Partnership in 2005 which was adopted by the Council in January 2006. Following the
expected progress in the implementation of the short-term priorities of the Partnerships, it is the practice to update
the partnerships every other year. Therefore, the Commission proposes to renew the Accession Partnership.

Turkey should develop a plan including a timetable and specific measures intended to address the Accession
Partnership priorities.

The revised Accession Partnership provides the basis for a number of policy/financial instruments which will be used
to help Turkey in the preparations for membership. In particular, the revised Accession Partnership will serve as a
basis for future political reforms and as a yardstick against which to measure future progress.

2.

PRINCIPLES

The main priorities identified for Turkey relate to its capacity to meet the criteria defined by the Copenhagen
European Council of 1993 and the requirements of the negotiating framework adopted by the Council on 3 October
2005.

3.

PRIORITIES

The priorities listed in this Accession Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that the
country can complete them or take them substantially forward over the next few years. A distinction is made
between short-term priorities, which are expected to be accomplished within one to two years, and medium-term
priorities, which are expected to be accomplished within three to four years. The priorities concern both legislation
and the implementation thereof.

The revised Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Turkey’s membership preparations. Turkey will,
nevertheless, ultimately have to address all the issues identified in the progress reports, including consolidating the
political reform process in order to guarantee its irreversibility and ensure its uniform implementation throughout
the country and at all
levels of the administration. It is also important that Turkey fulfil the commitments of
legislative approximation and 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.

3.1. SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES

Political dialogue

Democracy and the rule of law

Public administration
— Pursue reform of public administration and personnel policy in order to ensure greater efficiency, accountability

and transparency,

— strengthen local administrations by reforming the central administration, devolving powers to local adminis-

trations and providing them with adequate resources,

— implement legislation aimed at establishing a fully operational Ombudsman system,

— adopt and implement legislation on the Court of Auditors.

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Civilian oversight of the security forces
— Strengthen efforts to align civilian control of the military in line with the practice in EU Member States. Ensure
issues and that civilian authorities fully exercise supervisory
including as regards the formulation of the national security strategy and its

that the military does not intervene in political
functions on security matters,
implementation,

— take steps towards bringing about greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of security affairs,

— establish full parliamentary oversight of military and defence policy and all related expenditure, including by

external audit,

— limit the jurisdiction of military courts to military duties of military personnel.

Judicial system
— Strengthen efforts, including through training, to ensure that interpretation by the judiciary of legislation related
to human rights and fundamental freedoms is in line with the European Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR),
and with Article 90 of the Turkish Constitution,

— ensure that the judiciary is independent of other state institutions, in particular as regards the High Council of
Judges and Prosecutors and the inspection system. More specifically, ensure that the High Council of Judges and
Prosecutors represents the judiciary as a whole,

— strengthen the efficiency of the judiciary through, in particular, reinforcing its institutional capacity and adopting

a new Code of civil procedure,

— proceed with the establishment of regional intermediate courts of appeal.

Anti-corruption policy
— Develop a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy, including the fight against high-level corruption, and a central
body to oversee and monitor its implementation, including through establishing statistical data. Improve coor-
dination between all institutions involved,

— ensure implementation of the Regulation on Principles of Ethical Behaviour for Civil Servants and extend its

provisions to elected officials, judiciary, academics and military personnel,

— limit the immunities granted to politicians and public officials in line with European best practices and improve

legislation on transparency in political party and election campaign financing.

Human rights and the protection of minorities

Observance of international human rights law
— Ratify the optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture which provides for the establishment of a

system of independent monitoring of detention facilities.

European Court of Human Rights
— Comply with the ECHR, and ensure full execution of the judgments of the ECtHR,

— amend the criminal procedure Code so as to enforce the right to retrial in line with the relevant judgments of the

ECtHR.

Promotion and enforcement of human rights
— Establish an independent, adequately resourced national human rights institution in accordance with relevant UN

principles. Monitor human rights cases, including through statistical data,

— continue the training of law enforcement agencies on human rights issues and investigation techniques.

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Civil and political rights

t o r t u r e a n d i l l - t r e a t m e n t

P r e v e n t i o n o f
— Ensure implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards torture and
ill-treatment in line with the ECHR and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of
Torture,

— ensure implementation of the Istanbul Protocol throughout the country,

in particular by increasing medical

expertise,

— intensify the fight against impunity. Ensure that prosecutors conduct timely and effective investigations of alleged

cases, leading to identification and punishment of perpetrators by the courts.

A c c e s s t o j u s t i c e
— Strengthen efforts to ensure adequate legal aid and qualified interpretation services.

F r e e d o m o f e x p r e s s i o n
— In view of ensuring full respect of freedom of expression, revise and implement legislation on freedom of
expression, including freedom of the press, in line with the ECHR and with the case law of the ECtHR,

— remedy the situation of those persons prosecuted or sentenced for non-violent expression of opinion.

F r e e d o m o f a s s e m b l y a n d a s s o c i a t i o n
— Continue implementation of all reforms concerning freedom of association and peaceful assembly in accordance
with the ECHR and its related case law. Implement measures to prevent the excessive use of force by security
forces,

— align with best practices in EU Member States as regards legislation on political parties.

C i v i l s o c i e t y o r g a n i s a t i o n s
— Further strengthen the domestic development of civil society and its involvement in the shaping of public

policies,

— facilitate and encourage open communication and cooperation between all sectors of Turkish civil society and

European partners.

F r e e d o m o f r e l i g i o n
— Take the necessary measures to establish an atmosphere of tolerance conducive to the full respect of freedom of

religion in practice.

In line with the ECHR and the case law of the ECtHR:

— Revise and implement legislation on foundations,

— interpret and apply current legislation pending the adoption and implementation of the new law on foundations,

— ensure that non-Muslim religious communities can acquire legal personality and exercise their rights,

— ensure the possibility of religious education for non-Muslim minorities, including the training of their clergy,

— ensure equal treatment of Turkish and foreign nationals as regards their ability to exercise the right to freedom of

religion through participation in the life of organised religious communities,

— adopt legislation to prevent repeated prosecutions and convictions of those who refuse to perform military

service for conscientious or religious reasons.

Economic and social rights
W o m e n ’ s r i g h t s
— Pursue measures to implement current legislation relating to women’s rights and against all forms of violence
against women, including crimes committed in the name of honour. Ensure specialised training for judges and
prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, municipalities and other responsible institutions and strengthen efforts to
in line with current legislation,
establish shelters for women at risk of violence in all

larger municipalities,

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— further increase the awareness of the general public, and of men in particular, concerning gender issues, and
promote the role of women in society, including through ensuring equal access to education and participation in
the labour market and in political and social life; support the development of women’s organisations to fulfil
these goals.

C h i l d r e n ’ s r i g h t s
— Ensure the full implementation of the Law on Child Protection and promote protection of children’s rights in line

with EU and international standards,

— continue efforts to tackle the problem of child labour and child poverty and improve the situation of street

children.

L a b o u r r i g h t s a n d t r a d e u n i o n s
— Ensure that full trade union rights are respected in line with EU standards and the relevant ILO Conventions, in

particular as regards the right to organise, the right to strike and the right to bargain collectively,

— further reinforce social dialogue, facilitate and encourage cooperation with EU partners.

A n t i - d i s c r i m i n a t i o n p o l i c i e s
— Guarantee in law and in practice the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all indi-
viduals, without discrimination and irrespective of language, political opinion, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion
or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation,

— strengthen efforts to revise curricula and textbooks so that discriminatory language is eliminated.

Minority rights, cultural rights and protection of minorities
— Ensure cultural diversity and promote respect for and protection of minorities in accordance with the ECHR and
the principles laid down in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and in line with
best practice in Member States,

— guarantee legal protection of minorities, in particular as regards the peaceful enjoyment of possessions, in line

with Protocol No 1 to the ECHR.

C u l t u r a l r i g h t s
— Improve effective access to radio and TV broadcasting in languages other than Turkish, in particular by removing

remaining legal restrictions,

— adopt appropriate measures to support the teaching of languages other than Turkish.

S i t u a t i o n i n t h e e a s t a n d s o u t h - e a s t
— Develop a comprehensive approach to reducing regional disparities, and in particular to improving the situation
in southeast Turkey, with a view to enhancing economic, social and cultural opportunities for all Turkish
citizens, including those of Kurdish origin,

— abolish the village guard system in the south-east,

— clear the area of landmines.

I n t e r n a l l y d i s p l a c e d p e r s o n s
— Pursue measures to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to their original settlements in line with

the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Displaced Persons,

— continue implementation of the law on the compensation of losses due to terrorism and the fight against

terrorism. Ensure fair and prompt compensation of victims.

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Regional issues and international obligations

Cyprus
— Actively support efforts to implement the agreed 8th July process leading to a comprehensive and viable
settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the EU
is founded, including concrete steps to contribute to a favourable climate for such a comprehensive settlement,

— implement fully the Protocol adapting the Ankara Agreement to the accession of the new EU Member States,
including removal of all existing restrictions on Cyprus-flagged vessels and vessels serving the Cyprus trade (1),

— take concrete steps for the normalisation of bilateral relations between Turkey and all EU Member States,

including the Republic of Cyprus, as soon as possible (1).

Peaceful settlement of border disputes
— Pursue further efforts to resolve any outstanding border disputes in conformity with the principle of peaceful
settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter including, if necessary, jurisdiction of the International
Court of Justice,

— unequivocally commit to good neighbourly relations; address any sources of friction with neighbours; and refrain
from any threat or action which could adversely affect the process of peaceful settlement of border disputes.

Obligations under the Association Agreement
— Ensure implementation of commitments undertaken under the Association Agreement, including the Customs

Union.

Economic criteria
— Continue to implement appropriate fiscal and monetary policies with a view to taking adequate measures to
preserve macroeconomic stability and predictability. Implement a sustainable and effective social security system,

— further strengthen economic policy coordination across different institutions and policy areas in order to provide

a consistent and sustainable economic policy framework for the economy,

— continue privatisation of state-owned enterprises,

— continue with market liberalisation, and price reforms,

in particular in the areas of energy and agriculture,

— address labour market imbalances. To this end, improve incentive structures and flexibility in the labour market
improve education and professional training efforts, thereby

to increase participation and employment rates;
encouraging the shift from agriculture to a service-based economy,

— improve the business climate. To this end, improve the functioning of the commercial judiciary and safeguard the
improve bankruptcy procedures to address impediments to

independence of market regulatory authorities;
market exit,

— identify and implement means to address the informal economy.

Ability to assume the obligations of membership

Chapter 1: Free movement of goods
— Abolish import permits or licence requirements, as well as disproportionate requirements for certificates in

respect of products other than used motor vehicles,

— submit to the Commission a plan for abolishing import permits on used motor vehicles,

— complete the identification of measures contrary to Articles 28 to 30 of the EC Treaty, draw up a plan for their

removal and introduce the mutual recognition clause into the Turkish legal order,

— address the remaining issue on regulatory data protection for pharmaceutical products.

(1) See also the declaration by the European Community and its Member States of 21 September 2005.

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Chapter 3: Right of establishment and freedom to provide services
— Present a detailed strategy which should include a timetable of all necessary steps in terms of
alignment and institutional capacity in order to comply with the acquis covered by this chapter,

legislative

— continue alignment with the acquis for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, in particular by
providing for a procedure for professional recognition distinct from academic recognition and by adopting the
minimum training requirements set out in Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (1),

— begin alignment with the acquis on postal services.

Chapter 4: Free movement of capital
— Continue to remove restrictions affecting foreign direct investments originating from the EU,

— start to align payment systems legislation with the acquis.

Chapter 5: Public procurement
— Give an organisation for procurement the task of guaranteeing a coherent policy and steering its implementation,

— present a comprehensive strategy which will include all reforms necessary for legislative alignment and insti-

tutional capacity building in order to comply with the acquis.

Chapter 6: Company law
— Adopt the new Commercial Code.

Chapter 7: Intellectual property law
— Improve the capacity of police, customs and the judiciary to enforce intellectual property rights,

including

strengthening coordination between these bodies,

— address, in particular, the counterfeiting of trade marks and piracy.

Chapter 8: Competition policy
— Adopt a State aid law in line with the acquis requirements and set up an operationally independent state aid

monitoring authority able to fulfil existing transparency commitments,

— finalise and adopt the National Steel Restructuring Programme in line with EU requirements.

Chapter 9: Financial services
— Continue alignment with the new capital requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and with the
other related directives (deposit guarantee scheme, winding up and reorganisation, financial conglomerates, bank
accounts),

— strengthen prudential and supervisory standards both in banking and in the non-bank financial sector. Establish

an independent regulatory and supervisory authority in the insurance and pension sector.

Chapter 10: Information society and media
— Adopt a new Electronic Communications Law aligned with the current EU Regulatory Framework,

— complete the adoption and implementation of

the key ‘starting conditions’

for the 2002 EU regulatory

framework,

— continue alignment of legislation in the field of audiovisual policy, in particular with regard to the Television

without Frontiers Directive.

Chapter 11: Agriculture and rural development
— Establish an IPARD agency (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance Rural Development Component) accredited

in compliance with EU requirements,

(1) OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22. Directive as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1430/2007 (OJ L 320, 6.12.2007, p. 3).

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— lift restrictions on trade in beefmeat, live bovine animals and by-products.

Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy
— Adopt a framework law on food, feed and veterinary matters compliant with EU requirements and which allows

a complete transposition of the EU acquis,

— ensure the operationality of the system for the identification and registration of bovines and registration of their
movement in compliance with the EU acquis, and start the implementation of an appropriate system for sheep
and goats in order to trace movements,

— take the necessary measures to allow the Thrace region to be recognised by the World Organisation on Animal

Health as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone with vaccination,

— classify all agri-food establishments by category based on the EU acquis and prepare a National Programme for

upgrading those establishments.

Chapter 13: Fisheries
— Reinforce the administrative structures in particular by creating a central unit in charge of all fisheries matters.

Particular attention also needs to be paid to strengthening fisheries inspection and control services,

— adopt the revised Fisheries Law in line with EU requirements,

including in the field of resource and fleet

management, as well as inspection and control.

Chapter 14: Transport policy
— Adopt the Railways Framework Law in order gradually to open the Turkish rail transport market and provide for

the separation of functions regarding infrastructure management and provision of services,

— continue alignment with, and implementation in, the maritime sector paying special attention to the effective
implementation of pollution prevention. Further strengthen maritime administration, including the improvement
of the safety record of the Turkish fleet and the implementation of the maritime security acquis,

— in the field of aviation, work towards a technical solution to ensure the necessary communication in order to

guarantee the appropriate level of air safety in the South Eastern Mediterranean region,

— engage in a process towards the recognition of ‘Community designation’ and provide a clear strategy for the

progressive alignment to the acquis on the Single European Sky,

— align with, and implement, the relevant provisions and specificities of the European Civil Aviation Conference’s

policy statement in the field of civil aviation security.

Chapter 15: Energy
— Continue alignment with, and implementation of, the acquis on the internal gas and electricity market and on
cross-border exchanges in electricity, also with a view to possible membership of the Energy Community Treaty.
Ensure the implementation of fair and non-discriminatory rules for the transmission of gas,

— continue to develop the capacities of the different regulatory authorities and ensure their independence,

— strengthen administrative capacity and continue alignment in the energy efficiency field, promote high-efficiency
cogeneration, and develop renewable energy in transport, electricity and heating/cooling, including the setting of
appropriate and ambitious targets and incentives,

— accede to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste

Management.

Chapter 16: Taxation
— Take practical steps leading to a substantial reduction in discriminatory taxation of alcoholic products, imported
tobacco and imported cigarettes, and present a plan with clear milestones, and agreed with the Commission, for
the rapid elimination of any residual discriminatory taxation,

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— pursue alignment of VAT and excise duties, in particular on structure and applied rates,

— continue strengthening and modernising the tax administration,

including the IT sector, in order to increase

compliance and improve collection of tax revenues and to reduce the informal economy.

Chapter 18: Statistics
— Produce timely key national accounts indicators in accordance with ESA 95,

— align the methodology and the organisational set-up for collecting information to provide agriculture statistics in

line with EU requirements,

— finalise establishment of the business register.

Chapter 19: Social policy and employment
— Establish conditions for an effective social dialogue at all levels, inter alia, by adopting new legislation eliminating

restrictive provisions on trade union activities and ensuring full trade union rights,

— provide an analysis of undeclared work in Turkey and draw up a plan to tackle this problem in the context of an

overall action plan for the enforcement of the acquis for the benefit of the entire workforce,

— finalise the work on the Joint Inclusion Memorandum (JIM) and the Joint Assessment Paper on Employment

Policy Priorities (JAP) and actively implement both follow-up processes.

Chapter 20: Enterprise and Industrial policy
— Adopt a revised comprehensive industrial policy strategy.

Chapter 22: Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments
— Reinforce the establishment of institutional structures and strengthen administrative capacity in the areas of
programming, project preparation, monitoring, evaluation and financial management and control, particularly at
the level of line ministries, to implement EU pre-accession programmes as a preparation for the implementation
of the Community’s cohesion policy.

Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights
— Strengthen efforts to align its legislation with the acquis on the protection of personal data and to establish an

independent data protection supervisory authority.

— See for other priorities the section on political criteria.

Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security
— Continue to strengthen all law enforcement institutions and align their status and functioning with European
including through developing inter-agency cooperation. Adopt a code of ethics and establish an
law enforcement

standards,
independent and effective complaints system to ensure greater accountability covering all
bodies,

— continue efforts to implement the National Action Plan on Asylum and Migration (including through the
increase capacity to combat illegal migration in line with international standards,

adoption of a roadmap),

— conclude urgently a readmission agreement with the EU,

— make progress in the preparations for the adoption of a comprehensive asylum law in line with the acquis

including the establishment of an asylum authority,

— continue efforts to implement the National Action Plan on integrated border management including through the
definition of a precise road map. Steps should be taken to establish the new border law enforcement authority,

— implement the national strategy on organised crime. Strengthen the fight against organised crime, drugs, traf-

ficking in persons, fraud, corruption and money-laundering.

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Chapter 26: Education and Culture
— Enhance the administrative capacity of the Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action National Agency in order to be

able to deal with the increased workload.,

Chapter 27: Environment
— Adopt a comprehensive strategy for the gradual transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis,
including plans for building up the necessary administrative capacity at national, regional and local level and
required financial resources, with an indication of milestones and timetables,

— continue transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis, in particular horizontal and framework
including transboundary aspects, as well as
impact assessment,

such as

legislation,
the environmental
strengthening of administrative capacity,

— adopt the National Waste Management Plan.

Chapter 28: Consumer and health protection
— Further align with the consumer and health acquis, including in the areas of blood, tissues and cells and tobacco,

and ensure adequate administrative structures and enforcement capacity,

— strengthen the courts’ capacity, including through training, to ensure consistency in interpretation of consumer

legislation.

Chapter 29: Customs Union
— Align legislation on free zones with the relevant acquis, particularly for rules concerning customs controls and tax

auditing,

— strengthen the enforcement capacity of the customs administration, particularly regarding the fight against illegal

trade and counterfeit. Continue the preparations for interconnectivity of the IT systems with the EU,

— eliminate customs duty relief for goods covered by the Customs Union and which are sold in duty-free shops to

travellers entering in Turkey.

Chapter 30: External relations
— Align with the EU position in the World Trade Organisation, as regards the Doha Development Agenda and in

the OECD,

— complete the alignment with the European Community regime on generalised system of preferences (GSP),

— continue efforts to conclude outstanding free trade agreements with third countries in line with the acquis.

Chapter 31: Foreign, security and defence policy
— Continue to align with EU common positions, declarations, statements and démarches on Common Foreign and

Security Policy (CFSP),

— align policies towards third countries and positions within international organisations with those of the EU and
its Member States including in relation to the membership by all EU Member States of relevant organisations and
arrangements such as Wassenaar.

Chapter 32: Financial control
— Adopt an updated Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) Policy Paper and derived PIFC legislation,

— adopt pending legislation to guarantee the functioning of the Turkish Court of Accounts in line with the

International organisation of supreme audit institutions (INTOSAI) standards and guidelines,

— set up an operationally independent anti-fraud coordination structure for the protection of EU financial interests.

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3.2. MEDIUM-TERM PRIORITIES

Economic criteria
— Complete the privatisation programme,

— ensure the sustainability of public finance,

— continue to improve the general

generation and women,

level of education and health, paying particular attention to the younger

— upgrade the country’s infrastructure, in particular in energy and transport, in order to strengthen the competi-

tiveness of the economy at large.

Ability to assume the obligations of membership

Chapter 2: Freedom of movement for workers
— Ensure that the Public Employment Services have adequate capacity to guarantee participation in the EURES

(European Employment Services) network,

— continue to strengthen administrative structures, in particular for the coordination of social security schemes.

Chapter 3: Right of establishment and freedom to provide services
— Further remove restrictions on the right of establishment and the freedom to provide cross-border services,

— continue alignment on the acquis for postal services,

— continue alignment with the acquis for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and, in particular,

work towards repealing nationality requirements.

Chapter 5: Public procurement
— Implement the public procurement strategy,

— promote the use of electronic means in procurement procedures.

Chapter 6: Company law
— Adopt a general-purpose financial reporting framework in the area of corporate accounting and auditing in line

with EU standards,

— strengthen disclosure requirements. In particular, adopt a general requirement for companies to file audited legal

entity and consolidated financial statements in order to make them publicly available.

Chapter 7: Intellectual property law
— Continue alignment and ensure an effective enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Chapter 8: Competition policy
— align secondary legislation in the State aid field,

— ensure transparency in the area of state aid in line with existing bilateral commitments. Inform the Community

of all aid schemes in force and notify in advance any individual aid to be granted.

Chapter 10: Information society and media
— Continue the transposition and implementation of the acquis in the electronic communications area and prepare

for full liberalisation of the markets,

— further align with the audiovisual acquis and strengthen the independence and administrative capacity of the

regulatory authority.

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Chapter 11: Agriculture and rural development
— Continue developing the system of land identification and the National Farmer Registration System to prepare for

controls on agricultural land,

— start preparing the implementation of pilot actions relating to environment and the countryside, in view of future

implementation of agri-environmental measures.

Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy
— Adopt control measures for animal diseases and set up eradication plans where this is justified by the animal

health situation,

— enhance laboratory and control capacities in the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary domain,in particular as

regards reference laboratories, residue testing (including control plans) and sampling procedures,

— align the legislation on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) and animal by-products and start to set

up the necessary collection and treatment system.

Chapter 13: Fisheries
— Set up a reliable stock assessment system to provide accurate information on marine resources,

— adapt the existing fleet register to EU requirements.

Chapter 14: Transport policy
— continue the legislative and administrative alignment to the transport acquis in particular as regards road

transport and air safety,

— strengthen the capacity to implement EU acquis, including control measures, in line with EU standards.

Chapter 15: Energy
— Ensure the establishment of a competitive internal energy market, in compliance with the electricity and gas
directives. Further strengthen administrative and regulatory structures needed for a functional and competitive
energy market,

— adopt a nuclear law which ensures a high level of nuclear safety in line with EU standards.

Chapter 16: Taxation
— Continue alignment of excise duties and VAT, in particular as regards deductions, exemptions, special schemes,

tax refunds and the application of reduced rates.

Chapter 18: Statistics
— Reinforce the coordinating role and improve the administrative capacity of Turkstat to ensure more timely

collection, processing and dissemination of data.

Chapter 19: Social policy and employment
— Continue transposition of the acquis and strengthen the related administrative and enforcement structures

including the labour inspectorates, in association with social partners,

— enhance capacity to assess and monitor labour market and social developments and address structural problems.

Chapter 21: Trans-European networks
— Give priority to projects identified under the Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA) and to projects of

common interest listed in the European Community TEN-Energy Guidelines.

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Chapter 22: Regional policy and coordination of structural policy instruments
— Develop at central, regional and local level the administrative capacity for the implementation of possible future

Community cohesion policy.

Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security
— Accelerate efforts to set up an integrated border management system in line with the acquis, based on close
interagency coordination and professionalism of staff, covering, inter alia, a pre-screening mechanism to identify
persons in need of international protection at borders,

— continue with alignment with the acquis in the field of asylum, in particular through the lifting of the geo-
graphical limitation to the Geneva Convention and through strengthening protection, social support and inte-
gration measures for refugees,

— ensure compatibility of Turkish legislation with the acquis in civil matters and strengthen the capacity of the

judiciary to apply the acquis.

Chapter 27: Environment
— Continue to transpose and implement the acquis related to the framework legislation, international environmental
industrial pollution and risk

conventions and legislation on nature protection, water quality, chemicals,
management and waste management,

— pursue integration of environmental requirements into other sectoral policies.

Chapter 28: Consumer and health protection
— Ensure a high level of protection through the effective enforcement of consumer protection rules and invol-

vement of relevant consumer organisations,

— in the area of mental health, develop community-based services as an alternative to institutionalisation, and

ensure allocation of sufficient financial resources for mental health care.

Chapter 29: Customs Union
— Complete alignment of customs legislation on dual-use goods and technologies, precursors and counterfeit and

pirated goods.

Chapter 32: Financial control
— Align the Turkish Criminal Code with the protection of

Convention (PIF Convention) and its protocols.

the European Communities financial

interests

4.

PROGRAMMING

Financial assistance for the priorities identified in the Accession Partnership will be made available through two
financial instruments: programmes adopted before and in 2006 will be implemented in accordance with Council
Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001 of 17 December 2001 concerning pre-accession financial assistance for Turkey (1).
Programmes and projects adopted as from 2007 will be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EC) No
1085/2006. Under both instruments, the Commission has adopted respectively will adopt financing decisions,
followed by a financing agreements signed by the Commission and Turkey. The financing agreements serve as
legal basis for the implementation of the concrete programmes.

Turkey has also access to funding from multi-country and horizontal programmes.

(1) OJ L 342, 27.12.2001, p. 1. Regulation repealed by Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006.

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5. 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 Customs Union Decision 1/95 and other
decisions, further concrete steps towards satisfying effectively 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 to suspend financial assistance on
the basis of Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001 or on the basis of Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006. Specific
conditions are also included in individual annual programmes. The financing decisions will be followed by a
financing agreement signed with Turkey.

6. MONITORING

The implementation of the Accession Partnership shall be examined using the mechanisms established under the
Association Agreement as appropriate and through the Commission’s progress reports.

The Association Agreement sub-committees provide the possibility of reviewing implementation of the Accession
Partnership priorities and progress as regards legal approximation, implementation and enforcement. The Association
Committee discusses overall developments, progress and problems in meeting the Accession Partnership priorities as
well as more specific issues referred to it by the sub-committees.

The monitoring of the pre-accession financial assistance programmes shall be carried out jointly by Turkey and the
Commission through a joint monitoring committee (JMC)/IPA Monitoring Committee.
In order to ensure the
effectiveness of monitoring, projects being funded under each financing agreement must incorporate verifiable
and measurable indicators of achievements. Monitoring based on these indicators will assist the Commission, the
JMC/IPA Monitoring Committee and Turkey in subsequently reorienting programmes where necessary and in the
design of new programmes. The JMC/IPA Monitoring Committee ensures that actions financed under the pre-
accession programmes are compatible with the Accession Partnership.

The Accession Partnership will continue to be adjusted as necessary in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation
(EC) No 390/2001.