News

4th Meeting of Accession Conference with Lithuania
Ministerial Level
Madame Chairperson,
Dear colleagues,
Looking at the agenda of our meeting - perhaps without any negotiations - we can agree that the overall result of this semester could be described as success. This success is important at least for two good reasons: Firstly, in principle we can register the achievement of the tasks outlined in the Road Map suggested by the Commission in its Enlargement Strategy and approved by the European Council in Nice. We are preliminary closing almost all chapters envisaged for this semester in the Road Map; the pending exception - chapter on Environment - should be prepared for the preliminary closure in the coming weeks. There also remains the issue of free movement of labour as well as chapter on Co-operation in the fields of justice and home affairs, but we hope to finalise it soon.Secondly, the 'catch-up' principle has worked out. Something that was discussed in Helsinki more than a year ago is reality today. For us it is a weighty recognition and encouragement. It is also confirmation of our long-standing belief that we could make it. That we have taken the chance according to our reform efforts and important achievements. Likewise, the Presidency of Sweden deserves appreciation for achieving its aim of breakthrough in the enlargement process. I would like to confirm our agreement with today's agenda and summary conclusions of the third Ministerial meeting of the Accession Conference. I can confirm the Lithuanian side's agreement that the chapters on Free movement of goods, Free movement of services, Free movement of capital, Company law, Fisheries, Economic and monetary union, Social policy and employment, Telecommunications and information technologies, Culture and audio-visual policy, Consumers and health protection do not require further negotiations at this stage. Madame Chairperson,Mr. Commissioner,Dear colleagues, Let me briefly go over some chapters. Following the logic of the Road Map we are preliminary closing chapters directly related to the Internal Market. We do subscribe to the logic that free movement of goods, capital, services and people makes a basis of the Communities. In respect to the Free movement of capital, we have set in motion a political process to prepare the necessary amendments to the Lithuanian Constitution, including the Article 47, which concerns the selling of agricultural land to foreigners. This allowed us to withdraw a reservation from our position paper. As regards the chapter on the Free movement of goods, I would like to share my satisfaction about the positive outcome of negotiations and the agreed transitional period on the authorisation of pharmaceutical products. Related to this provisional closure of the Company law chapter is also important for progress towards Internal Market. As for the Freedom to provide services chapter, I would like express satisfaction with the understanding reached that transitional periods until 31 December 2007 were reasonable allowing for the harmonisation of the Lithuanian deposit insurance system with the EU requirements and for the implementation of the acquis provisions on investor compensation schemes. We also agreed upon the exclusion of the Lithuanian credit unions other than the Central Credit Union from the scope of application of the Banking Directives. Lithuania will stand by its commitment on compulsory third party liability to be in line with the EU legislation by the date of accession. The remaining freedom - movement of persons - is an integral part of the Internal Market. We take note of the Union's Common Position and the request for the transitional period for the movement of workers. It is our understanding that there are elements for individual and flexible implementation of the EU position. It is with this in mind that the Prime Minister of Lithuania addressed letters to his counterparts in the EU Member States last week. Lithuania firmly supports the principle that any judgement of candidate countries should be based on individual circumstances. My Government calls upon the Member States to come forward with national measures or bilateral arrangements with Lithuania and abstain from restrictions on the free movement of labour from Lithuania. Early assurances and practical steps leading to opening of Member-States' labour markets from the very accession or even earlier would be essential for the final assessment of the Union's position. We propose to begin bilateral consultations with every Member State without any delay. For the obvious reasons of geography the proposed restrictions for the cross border provision of services can hardly be considered in the case of Lithuania.As regards the chapter on Fisheries, Lithuania will continue to strengthen its administrative capacitiesDear Chairman,Dear Commissioner,Dear colleagues, As regards Culture and audio-visual policy, Consumer and health protection, Economic and monetary union, Telecommunications and information technologies the adoption and implementing the acquis of these chapters is proceeding smoothly and the necessary administrative capacities are being strengthened. Preliminary closure of Social policy and employment chapter has added an important impetus for negotiations and should be singled out. Now I would like to turn to the Chapters that we are opening today. First of all, I would like to welcome Union's Common Position on Agriculture. The Lithuanian Government is of the opinion that the principle of non-discrimination should be applicable for the CAP to all the EU Member States. Determination of the Union to carry out a mid-term review of certain aspects of the CAP in 2002 is welcomed with the clear understanding that it should not be an obstacle in the negotiation process and that clarification regarding the future of the CAP would positively affect institution building in candidate countries. I also think that we should make an effort to settle down the veterinary and phytosanitary issues this year as foreseen in the Road Map. In order to achieve further progress in food safety area Lithuania's Food Safety Strategy will be thoroughly implemented. On Energy chapter alongside with the complex issues of implementation of the acquis in oil stocks, in the gas sector and the liberalisation of the energy market we shall have to address also the future of the nuclear power in Lithuania. In this context, following the suggestion from the European Commission we are looking forward to renew the work of Joint Working Group on Energy. Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is a special case economically, socially and financially. Thus we have to address related issues in a special way. All the negotiating instruments which lead to the successful solution must be employed. Eventually, we shall seek for the prudent ways and means in revising of the National Energy Strategy of Lithuania assessing the broader context of the energy market developments. I would also like to note our high appreciation of the donors process initiated together with the European Commission which helps raising financial assistance and where the European Union is the major contributor.In conclusion - the momentum we have gained must be maintained. For that, we must stick to the Road Map. The Road Map has proven its worth and it is realistic. During the last few months Lithuania has made a remarkable progress in the negotiations and has become an example of the successfully implemented 'catch-up' policy. I hope that the Göteborg Council will consolidate these achievements and give further guidance to the process. Dear Chairman,Dear colleagues, On this occasion I would also like to briefly mention our plans in negotiations for the forthcoming meetings of the Accession Conference. In our opinion, a number of chapters are approaching the necessary degree of preparedness for the preliminary closure. In particular, we should aim at preliminary closing the chapter on Environment, at the earliest meeting. Chapters on Customs union, Financial control, Taxation, Competition policy, Transport policy, Justice and home affairs, Freedom of movement for persons should also be our immediate target areas, as well as all other remaining chapters where important progress could be achieved. I also salute steps of the Belgian Presidency to involve the candidate countries in the debate on the future of the EU and its institutions. Meeting in Nyköping was a good start and should be continued. Finally, I would like thank you, Madame Minister, Commissioner as well the Council Secretariat for this meeting.