EU Mission to Cyprus led by Leopold Maurer, head of the EU negotiating Team (14-16.1.1999)

On the 14th to the 16th January a seven man Mission of the European Commission visited Cyprus for a series of meetings with Mr. George Vassilliou, Head of the Cyprus delegation for EU-Cyprus accession negotiations.

The object of the meetings was the examination of the mechanisms which Cyprus utilizes for the adoption of the acquis communautaire, and the degree to which Cyprus is implementing its obligations resulting from the EU accession negotiations.

Mr. Maurer emphasized the importance of speeding up the work related to harmonization on the part of Cyprus. With regard to this he pointed out the need for a continuous provision of a flow of information to the appropriate services of the European Commission in relation to the implementation of the harmonization programme. He further underlined that it is up to each candidate country to demonstrate within a reasonable time the results of the difficult task of harmonization, which will contribute in turn to the speeding up of the EU accession negotiations.

During the talks the EU delegation also emphasized the need to present realistic data and a specific programme for the harmonization of the legislation of Cyprus.

The Cyprus delegation demonstrated on a computer the Harmonization Action Plan which includes the programmes of all the Ministries for the period 1999 - 2002.

Intensive discussions took place during the meetings on specific issues raised during consideration of the first seven Chapters, for which substantive negotiations have taken place, as well as for the eight Chapters that will be analyzed during the German presidency. Mr. Vassilliou and the negotiating team presented the Cyprus positions and provided further explanations relating to the issues discussed. The Cyprus side also presented its programme for meeting all the obligations of Cyprus.

The Telecommunications sector was given special consideration during the analysis of the seven Chapters already negotiated. Maurer’s delegation concluded that the level of technical expertise and organization of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority was very high and consequently the EU does not consider any transitional period as being justified. Cyprus has requested a transitional period of one year, and has set the 31st December 2003 as the date for the liberalization of the sector. This issue will be the subject of further negotiations under the German presidency.

A number of other specific issues were also considered in the meetings, including the Cooperative Movement which was examined in relation to state support; competition policy; Company Law; the free movement of goods; justice and home affairs; and transport. In discussion of the Chapter relating to the Cooperative Movement, the Cyprus side, which included representatives of the Cooperative Movement, explained the manner in which the cooperatives operate, emphasizing that they are not profit making organizations. Maurer’s team requested detailed explanatory reports but expressed satisfaction at the explanations given.

Mr. Maurer also expressed satisfaction with respect to the Information system which the Office of the Head of the Cyprus negotiating team intends to put into operation in March 1999. This information system includes a broad range of information relating to the progress of accession negotiations in Greek, Turkish and English.

Overall, the organization and procedures for harmonization implemented in Cyprus left a good impression on Maurer’s mission.

Messrs. Maurer and Vassilliou also participated in meetings with the External Affairs and European Affairs Committee of the Cyprus House of Representatives, which met under its Chairman Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos. Mr. Maurer addressed the Committee and stressed the importance of the parliaments of candidate countries with regard to the speeding up of the harmonization process.