Czech Republic: membership application and partnership, 17 January 1996

PURPOSE: presentation of the second 'accession partnership' for the Czech Republic. CONTENT : Like its previous version, this partnership for the accession of the Czech Republic resembles a work programme proposing priorities and objectives to be attained by the country in the short and the medium-term in order to become a member of the Union. These objectives take into account the regular report on the Czech Republic (1999). The short-term priorities (end of 2000) concern political criteria (introduction of a programme for the Roma people backed up with sufficient financial resources), economic criteria (restructuring of the banking and the steel sectors) ; the internal market (basically continuing the harmonisation process) ; agriculture, transport, environment (introduction of framework legislation), social affairs and employment, justice and home affairs (implementation of the Schengen agreement and combating corruption) and the strengthening of administrative and judiciary capacity (in particular the management and control of EU funds). In the medium term, the measures will concern further efforts to resolve the Roma question. In the area of the single market, the complete liberalisation of public procurement and harmonisation in the area of free movement of goods, taxation and consumer protection. Further measures are envisaged in the area of agriculture, energy (in particular, the nuclear sector), transport and the environment (sustainable development) and the improved operation of the customs and legal systems. With regard to the programming of financial resources, the partnership confirms aid granted in line with AGENDA 2000 and the various instruments provided therein (Phare, SAPARD and ISPA) in accordance with the rules already foreseen. It should be noted that assistance is only granted if the country respects the provisions of the EC-Czech Republic Association Agreement, makes progress towards satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and assures in the year 2000 the achievement of the specific priorities of this accession partnership.�