Poland: membership application and partnership, 8 April 1994

This Regular Report on Poland for 2000 follows the same structure as the Commission's 1997 Opinion and of the subsequent regular reports. However, it differs from that used in previous years on three minor points. Firstly, part of the present report assessing Poland's ability to assume the obligations of membership has been structured to follow the list of 29 negotiating chapters covering the acquis. Secondly, this part has been broadened to cover also Poland's administrative capacity to apply the acquis under each of the negotiating chapters (previously discussed in a separate section of the report). Thirdly, the report includes for the first time, a section assessing the progress made by Poland in translating the acquis into its official language. This report takes into consideration progress since the 1999 regular report. It covers the period until 30th September 2000. In some particular cases, however, measures taken after that date are mentioned. It looks at whether intended reforms referred to in the 1999 regular report have been carried out, and examines new initiatives. Furthermore, complementing the assessment of new developments since the last regular report, complemented with a view of the global situation for each of the aspects discussed. The economic assessment, for its part, is based on a forward-looking evaluation of Poland's economic performance. This report also contains a separate section examining the extent to which Poland has addressed the short-term Accession Partnership priorities, and has started to address the medium-term priorities set out in this framework. It should be noted that Poland has continued to implement the Europe Agreement and contributed to the smooth functioning of the various joint institutions. On the other hand, a range of difficulties in the implementation of the Europe Agreement by Poland remain, from complex long standing issues such as steel restructuring and Special Economic Zones to product specific trade issues. As regards Community aid, in the years 2000-2002 total financial assistance to Poland will amount annually to EUR 398 million from Phare, EUR 168.6 million from SAPARD and between EUR 312 and 385 million from ISPA. The 2000 Phare Programme for Poland consists of a national allocation of EUR 428 million. In general, Poland has made moderate progress in the following areas: macroeconomic stability; privatisation; standards; certificates and state aid; agriculture sector; regional policy; justice and home affairs. On the other hand, further progress is needed in the following areas: financial institutions; strengthening the administrative capacity; public procurement and the movement of persons; fisheries; environment; and the social field. �