Stabilisation & Association Process: the EU Policy for South East Europe Brussels December 2004

Stabilisation and Association Process Launched in 1999 Albania, BiH, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and FYROM prospect of EU membership variable speed Emphasises regional cooperation Draws from the experience of enlargement

Copenhagen Criteria A prospective member of the EU must : –be a stable democracy, respecting human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of minorities; –have a functioning market economy; –adopt the common rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law.

SAP Key features Stabilisation and Association Agreement –One per country. Legal basis for relations - in force for fYROM, Croatia to enter into force in European Partnerships –Short and medium term priorities –Draw on the experience of enlargement (accession partnerships) SAP Reports –Annual –Similar to regular reports for candidates. Financial support from CARDS instrument –National and regional –Supports the objectives of the SAP –BERCEN supported under regional budget

EU Environment Policy The Challenge Adoption of EU legislation in the area of the environment is a major challenge: –Legislative - more than 270 pieces of legislation; 80 Major Directives –Institutional - strengthen administrative structures : ministries, agencies but also implementation and enforcement institutions improve intra-ministerial co-ordination environmental management in business needs attention –Financial High estimates of compliance costs.

EU Environment Policy Strategy for Accession EU Environment Policy Strategy for Accession Certain pieces of legislation stand out as particularly investment heavy : waste water treatment and drinking water supply fuel quality and large combustion plants waste management - landfill, incineration IPPC EC Assistance can help but the bulk of effort comes from the countries themselves

Accession strategy Full transposition by accession Implementation by accession of –Framework legislation and legislation related to the single market –Environmental Impact Assessment –Access to information and Nature Protection Transition periods allowed for investment heavy directives (waste water treatment, landfills etc.) No opt outs from environmental legislation All new investments must meet with the acquis

The current candidates The current candidates Bulgaria and Romania –Entry foreseen for 2007 Turkey –Candidate but negotiations not yet open Croatia –Negotiations scheduled to open early 2005 on a date to be fixed. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia –Applied for EU membership in March 2004 –Commission must prepare Opinion on membership before fYROM can become a candidate

Thessaloniki 2003: A milestone Confirmed prospective EU membership Stabilisation and Association Process remains the policy framework Enrich SAP with elements from enlargement

Enrichment European Partnerships – identify priorities and timetable for achieving them. Financial assistance will be aimed at supporting these priorities Enhanced support for institution building –Twinning and TAIEX Participation in Community programmes and agencies

European Partnerships Identify priorities –Short term (1-2 years) –Medium term (3-4 years) Environmental examples include –Implement/develop EIA legislation –Prepare financial strategy - increase investment –Strengthen administrative capacity (inspection) Future assistance to target these priorities

Technical Assistance & Information Exchange -TAIEX Now operating in SEE ! Mission statement: –“ Its aim is to provide to administrations of the Western Balkans, short-term technical assistance, in line with the overall policy objectives of the European Commission, and in the field of approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation” Mandate –Transposition/Implementation/Enforcement –Training to increase administrative capacity –Information products, on-going monitoring

What and who for? Assistance through: –Seminars/Workshops, experts’ missions, study visits, training, documentation Beneficiaries –Central Administrations, Parliament, judiciary/law enforcement, regional/local authorities, private sector associations, social partners Demand driven ! (

Progress Reports Third annual SAP report issued in March 2004 Progress –Limited structural and administrative reforms. –Recognition of REReP (PEIP and continued Commission support)

EU Enlargement Croatia –Commission opinion highlighted environment as potentially a problem sector –Now a candidate –Negotiations to open early 2005 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia –On the basis of a questionnaire Commission opinion to be issued second half of 2005

The future Commission to incorporate SEE into DG ELARG, strong political signal EU member states must decide on financial perspectives ( ) CARDS and pre-accession instruments (Phare, SAPARD, ISPA) to be replaced by a single pre-accession instrument.

Commission Web sites Enlargementhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index_en.html 2004 reports: