Estonia: membership application

The committee adopted the report by Gunilla CARLSSON (EPP-ED, S) praising Estonia for the significant steps it had taken to integrate its Russian-speaking minority and for tackling corruption effectively. Estonia was a functioning market economy and had continued to make progress in implementing the "acquis communautaire". The committee applauded Estonia's environmental policy but expressed concern over the social and economic problems of the north-east of the country. The report also noted the EU's own preparations to ensure it was ready to receive new members from 1 January 2003 and stressed the need to maintain the pace of negotiations. Finally there was support for Estonia's efforts to become fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic security structures. �