Meeting in Cyprus of the Chief Negotiators of the Six Applicant Countries (26-27/3/1999)

The Chief Negotiators of the six applicant countries for EU accession met in the central town of Limassol, Cyprus, on 26 and 27 March to discuss progress in the negotiation process and the analytical examination or «screening» of the acquis communautaire.

This is the sixth meeting between the five candidate countries from Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus which will be included in the next wave of enlargement of the European Union.

The Negotiators exchanged views on some of the issues their respective countries will have to deal with on their way to accession. Discussions also focussed an economic issues such as the free movement of capital and goods, protection of competition, harmonisation of the banking sector and relations with the European Economic Area.

The meeting, which was chaired by Cyprus’ Chief Negotiator Mr George Vassiliou, was held in the aftermath of the Berlin Summit and this gave the six candidate countries the opportunity to assess the outcome of the European Council’s meeting.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting stated that «they were unanimous in praising the dynamism of the German Presidency and the determination of all 15 member-states to progress on the way to European integration». They pointed out that the approval of the revised Agenda 2000 in a spirit of mutual understanding and the designation of Professor Romano Prodi as President of the Commission was proof of their determination. Appreciation was expressed for «the wish of the European Union to send a message of reassurance to the candidate countries and the statement that ‘the accession negotiations will continue each in accordance with its own rhythm and as rapidly as possible’».

The Chief Negotiators also noted the overall agreement of the European Council to make available resources to finance the actual enlargement, beginning in 2002.

Realising the need for an overall effort to speed up the accession negotiations, the Six decided to submit four position papers by the end of May, an additional four by the end of July and all the remaining before the end of November this year. Thus, it is expected that by the end of the Portuguese Presidency in June 2000, accession negotiations will have progressed on all chapters.

It was decided that the next meeting of the Six take place in Tallinn, Estonia, on a date to be fixed later.

After the meeting, which was held in a very constructive climate of co-operation, a press conference was held. Mr Vassiliou was optimistic about the prospects for the next stage of enlargement following the European Union’s approval of Agenda 2000.

During their stay in Cyprus, the Negotiators from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia, accompanied by Mr Vassiliou, were received by the President of the Republic, Mr Glafcos Clerides.

They also visited the cease-fire line in Nicosia, the only divided capital in the world.