Category Archives: Partnership for the accession of Poland

The aim of the Accession Partnership is to assist the authorities in the candidate country (in this case, Poland) in their efforts to comply with the accession criteria. It covers in detail the priorities for accession preparations, in particular implementing the acquis, and forms the basis for programming pre-accession assistance from Community funds such as the Phare programme. Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003 and the official integration of the country into the European Union on 1 May 2004, the accession partnership has come to an end.

Poland – Economic Reform

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Poland – Economic Reform

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Poland – Economic Reform

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007 > Partnership for the accession of Poland

Poland – Economic Reform

Short-term priorities:

To establish medium-term economic policy priorities and to make a joint assessment within the framework of the Europe Agreement;
To adopt measures to deal with the external deficit;
To accelerate the privatisation of State enterprises;
To contribute to the sound development of the financial sector.

Assessment (October 1999)

Poland implemented its short-term priorities measures in part.

A medium-term economic strategy was developed. Privatisation and restructuring of some State enterprises was carried out, but further efforts were needed for restructuring enterprises in the coming years. The financial sector was strengthened by framework legislation and progress was made on privatising banks. In the telecommunications sector, legislation on interconnection was adopted. A start was made on privatising TPSA (telecommunications), but no progress was made in setting up a regulatory authority. No improvement was recorded in respect of bankruptcy procedures.

Assessment (November 2000)

The restructuring of the steel industry continued. Little progress was noted on restructuring and privatising the main steelworks. Some notable privatisation successes were recorded in other sectors. No improvements were noted in the functioning of the land register or bankruptcy procedures. Economic stability had largely been achieved.

Assessment (November 2001)

Economic stability has been achieved. Efforts are continuing to restructure the steel industry and on privatisation. Improvements have been made in the functioning of the land register and bankruptcy procedures.

Assessment (October 2002)

Progress with privatisation is less marked. Certain steps have been taken to facilitate the restructuring of the steel and railway industries and, to a lesser extent, of the coal industry.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

To complete privatisation;
To strengthen the institutions necessary for the operation of the market economy.

Assessment (October 1999)

Poland completed its first joint assessment and developed a macro-economic strategy in order to balance its books. Significant progress was made in bringing Polish legislation on the central bank into line with Community requirements. The new legal framework strengthened the independence of the central bank, but further efforts were needed to prepare for its accession to the European system.

Assessment (November 2000)

Competitiveness had improved as regards the policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and export promotion.

Assessment (November 2001)

As regards competitiveness, progress has been noted in SME policy and the promotion of exports, and improvements have been made to their legal and commercial framework. The reform of the steel and coal industries and social security has continued, as have efforts to consolidate the property market. A budget monitoring procedure still needs to be put in place.

Assessment (October 2002)

Considerable efforts have been made to maintain macroeconomic and budgetary stability, while progress has been achieved in implementing an institutional framework for the market economy. In general, the priorities set for the accession partnership as regards economic criteria have, to a large extent, been achieved.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

References

Council Decision 98/260/EC of 30.03.1998
Official Journal L 121 of 23.04.1998

Commission Opinion COM(97) 2002 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98) 701 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999) 509 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 709 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 700 final – SEC(2001) 1752
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2002) 700 final – SEC(2002) 1408
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final – SEC(2003) 1207
Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document.

Poland – Strengthening of the institutional and administrative capacities

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Poland – Strengthening of the institutional and administrative capacities

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Poland – Strengthening of the institutional and administrative capacities

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007 > Partnership for the accession of Poland

Poland – Strengthening of the institutional and administrative capacities

Short-term priorities:

improvements in customs, state aid monitoring, justice and home affairs (ministries and departments), financial control, veterinary and phytosanitary controls (particularly as regards infrastructures at external borders), the environment, taxation and regional policy.

Assessment (October 1999)

These priorities have been implemented only in part.

Poland has made little progress in strengthening its institutional and administrative capacities. In terms of regional policy, the new decentralised administrative body set up in January 1999 is an important step forward. However, more sustained attention needs to be devoted to improving the operation of customs, in particular by applying a uniform system for the processing of declarations. In all the other sectors, such as state aid, financial control, fisheries, the Ministries responsible for justice and home affairs, veterinary and phytosanitary controls, the environment and taxation, limited progress has been made in defining administrative and regulatory responsibilities and in setting up bodies to apply the rules.

Assessment (November 2000)

Legislation on external financial control is almost complete, but work on internal financial control must continue. Additional legislation is needed to achieve this.

Assessment (November 2001)

The rural development plan has been adopted, although the national development plan has not progressed. The framework legislation on external financial control is almost finished, but the legislation on internal control has yet to be finalised. Efforts are necessary with regard to application for the timetables of the programmes cofinanced by the European Union.

Assessment (October 2002)

These priorities have not been assessed. The section on the Partnership for accession in the 2002 report focuses on issues which require more work in order to prepare Poland for accession.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

setting up a unit to fight fraud and a National Audit Office;
strengthening financial control capacities;
improving the functioning of the judicial system;
strengthening justice and home affairs institutions (with an adequate number of suitably trained staff);
strengthening parliamentary procedures for adopting laws;
improving the capacity to collect taxes;
strengthening the relevant food control administration.

Assessment (October 1999)

No progress has been made towards achieving these medium-term priorities.

Assessment (November 2000)

A fast-track procedure for adopting Community legislation has been developed. Progress has been made in strengthening institutions, but greater efforts are needed.

Assessment (November 2001)

Poland has developed a fast-track procedure for adopting Community legislation. Efforts have been made to strengthen capacities in the field of statistics and training on Community law. The legislation on internal financial control is in place. The anti-fraud unit must be strengthened further, as should the financial control of the public administration.

Assessment (October 2002)

These priorities have not been assessed.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

References

Council Decision 98/260/EC of 30.03.1998
Official Journal L 121, 23.04.1998

Commission Opinion COM(97) 2002 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98) 701 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999) 509 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 709 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2001)700 final – SEC(2001) 1752
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2002)700 final – SEC(2002) 1408
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final – SEC(2003) 1207
Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document.

Poland – internal market

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Poland – internal market

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Poland – internal market

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007 > Partnership for the accession of Poland

Poland – internal market

Short-term priorities:

mainly in the field of certification and standardisation (continued alignment of regulatory measures and conclusion of a European Conformity Assessment Agreement);
continued alignment of intellectual and industrial property law and public contracts;
strengthening the regulatory authority and completing the inventory of state aids;
liberalisation of capital movements;
adoption of a law on state aids.

Assessment (October 1999)

Progress in this area has been very limited.

In the field of standards and certification, there have been considerable delays with the adoption of the New Approach and institutional bodies. As regards state aids, the necessary legislative framework has not been created, nor has an independent surveillance body been set up. There has not been any progress in the field of intellectual and industrial property. In the public contracts sector, the national preference clause is still in force. Poland has not yet adopted the legislation required under its Europe Agreement concerning the liberalisation of capital movements.

Assessment (November 2001)

European businesses are still encountering difficulties in gaining access to the Polish market. There has been good progress with legislation on intellectual and industrial property. Progress on the free movement of capital has been limited, but better on competition. A regulatory authority has been set up for telecommunications.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

alignment of legislation on public contracts;
alignment of legislation on conformity assessment for financial products and services;
further improvements in the field of competition, the audio-visual sector, land ownership and external border controls;
strengthening standardisation and conformity assessment bodies;
establishment of a market surveillance system;
alignment of horizontal technical regulations governing industrial products;
strengthening the powers of the authorities responsible for state aids and concentrations;
promoting the development of enterprises, especially SMEs;
alignment of the telecommunications sector, consumer protection and the internal energy market with the acquis communautaire.

Assessment (October 1999)

A new law on public contracts has been adopted and is due to come into force in 2000, but further legislative amendments will be required. A Bill on standardisation and certification is currently being considered by Parliament. There has been some progress with antitrust legislation, and the Government plans further measures to harmonise Polish competition law with the acquis. Legislation on state aids is currently being adopted, but there has not yet been any progress with aligning regulations on state monopolies. Polish legislation on the energy market continues to be brought into line with the acquis.

Assessment (November 2001)

Legislation has been adopted on public contracts. There are still obstacles to the free movement of capital. Work

has been done towards setting up regulatory and control bodies in the services sector, and the regulatory body for telecommunications is now operational. Progress has been made with mutual recognition of diplomas. The application of standards relating to State aids needs to be improved. Administrative capacity for customs and consumer protection needs to be further enhanced.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

References

Council Decision 98/260/EC of 30.03.1998
Official Journal L 121, 23.04.1998

Opinion of the Commission COM(97) 2002 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Report from the Commission COM(98) 701 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Report from the Commission COM(1999) 509 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Report from the Commission COM(2001) 700 final – SEC(2001) 1752
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final – SEC(2003) 1207
Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document.

Poland – Justice and Home Affairs

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Poland – Justice and Home Affairs

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Poland – Justice and Home Affairs

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007 > Partnership for the accession of Poland

Poland – Justice and Home Affairs

Short-term priorities:

To develop more effective border management and control systems, in particular of the borders of Belarus and Ukraine;
Visa regimes.

Assessment (October 1999)

Implementation of priority measures in this area advanced very little.

Poland made progress by adopting the law on aliens, but further efforts were needed to adjust its legislation on visas and immigration. It was also required to increase technical and financial resources to strengthen the administrative aspect of border management. Control of the Eastern border still presented major problems with regard both to staff and to installation and equipment.

Assessment (November 2000)

A national border management strategy was adopted. Coordination between law enforcement services improved. There was little progress in upgrading institutional capacity to fight organised crime and drug trafficking or in implementing an anti-corruption and anti-fraud programme.

Assessment (November 2001)

Poland has adopted an interinstitutional border management strategy. Progress has been made in combating organised crime and drug trafficking. With regard to efforts to combat fraud and corruption, Poland has ratified all the relevant conventions. However, further efforts are necessary.

Assessment (October 2002)

Efforts are being made to modernise equipment at the border inspection posts. Progress has also been made at the green and blue border, and in particular at the future external border of the European Union. However, these efforts are not sufficient. More progress is needed in the field of the allocation of budgetary resources and adequate administrative provisions. The decision to complete the alignment with the common visa policy will enter

into force in July 2003.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

to implement a new asylum system and to fight organised crime and corruption;
to implement a reform of the legislation on aliens, notably in view of the Schengen acquis.

Assessment (October 1999)

The adoption of the law on aliens was undoubtedly a very important step towards to achievement of a legislative framework relating to procedures. However, the various services responsible for the fight against crime (police, border guards, immigration and customs) had to be coordinated. Specific measures were adopted, in particular relating to the introduction of the witness protection scheme, which was consistent with the practice in force in the European Union. These measures were beginning to bear fruit.

Assessment (November 2000)

Some progress was made with regard to the administrative capacity of the judiciary. Border controls improved, but efforts needed to be intensified along the future borders of the Union.

Assessment (November 2001)

Progress has been made in boosting the administrative capacity of the judiciary and in border controls. Rapid progress has been made in bringing Polish law into line with EU asylum and immigration law. The struggle against organised crime and police cooperation with Europol must continue to be priorities for Poland. Overall, the Commission is satisfied with the progress made.

Assessment (October 2002)

Measures have been taken to adopt and implement a strategy to combat organised crime.
Measures have been taken to improve internal cooperation within the police and with other bodies. However, other measures are necessary to increase the capacity to combat organised crime.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

References

Council Decision 98/260/EC of 30.03.1998
Official Journal L 121 of 23.04.1998

Commission Opinion COM(97) 2002 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98) 701 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999) 509 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 709 final
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2001) 700 final – SEC(2001) 1752
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2002) 700 final – SEC(2002) 1408
Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final – SEC(2003) 1207
Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document.

Poland – Agriculture

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Poland – Agriculture

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Poland – Agriculture

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007 > Partnership for the accession of Poland

Poland – Agriculture

Short-term priorities:

Agriculture

definition of a coherent rural development and structural policy;
adoption of implementing regulations;
introduction and application of veterinary and plant health rules, especially as regards inspection and control with a view to protecting the European Union’s external borders;
upgrading of certain food-processing plants (milk and meat sectors) and certain testing and diagnostic facilities.

Assessment (October 1999)

Very few aspects of the short-term priorities for agriculture have been implemented.

Progress has been made on reorganising the veterinary and plant health services. In July 1999 the Polish Government adopted a text on agricultural structural policy which is a first step towards a rural development policy. The Polish authorities must ensure, however, that this policy adequately meets the requirements for accession. Limited progress has been made in upgrading certain food-processing plants and diagnostic facilities.

Assessment (November 2000)

The rural development plan has been adopted but its implementation is still not far advanced. The obstacles to imports have been increased. Competitiveness must be improved. Little progress has been made on the priorities relating to control arrangements and the improvement of diagnostic and testing facilities. Veterinary and plant health legislation has not been aligned with the Community’s.

Assessment (November 2001)

The rural development plan is still being introduced. Efforts have been made as regards removing tariff barriers, inspection, testing and diagnostic facilities and the alignment of veterinary and plant health legislation. Special attention must be paid to non-tariff barriers and competitiveness.

Assessment (October 2002)

Poland must strengthen its border controls and modernise its facilities.

Fisheries

accelerated preparation of a fisheries policy and restructuring plan;
drafting of an integrated development programme with a view to providing appropriate institutional structures and sufficient resources and facilities for the inspections;
introduction of a fleet register.

Assessment (November 2000)

The process of drafting a fisheries policy and restructuring plan has been speeded up. Little progress has been made on providing the administrative structures, resources or facilities needed for the inspections, or on introducing a fleet register.

Assessment (November 2001)

Preparation of a coherent fisheries policy and a restructuring programme has been completed. However, little progress has been made on introducing the facilities necessary for inspection and control at central and regional level or on creating a fleet register.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

Agriculture

adoption of the Community acquis (notably in the veterinary and plant health fields and as regards external border controls in particular);
implementation of the structural and rural development policy;
development of capacity to implement and apply the common agricultural policy (CAP), notably in terms of administrative structures and the basic management mechanisms for supervising the agricultural markets and for implementing the structural and rural development measures;
adoption and implementation of veterinary and plant health rules;
upgrading of certain food-processing plants and testing and diagnostic facilities;
restructuring of the agri-food industry.

Assessment (October 1999)

Little progress has been noted in the agricultural area, notably regarding the adoption of the acquis in the veterinary and plant health fields.

Assessment (November 2000)

Improvements have been noted as regards the milk and meat processing plants.

Assessment (November 2001)

A start has been made on implementing the rural development plan. Major efforts are needed as regards administrative structures, the upgrading of certain food-processing plants and the introduction of veterinary and phytosanitary control posts at the borders. No progress has been recorded as regards livestock identification, quality control, waste treatment and programmes to control waste and zoonoses. The national laboratory project has not advanced.

Assessment (October 2002)

Alignment with the acquis has not been completed and administrative capacities have not been adjusted. Efforts must continue, particularly in the veterinary area. The integrated administration and control system must be set up.

Fisheries

development of capacity to implement and monitor the common fisheries policy.

Assessment (October 1999)

In the case of fisheries, a programme to establish a fisheries policy and to restructure the industry is slowly taking shape. The administrative resources devoted to management and inspection are practically non-existent.

Assessment (November 2000)

No progress on these priorities has been noted.

Assessment (November 2001)

Minimal progress has been made on the priorities as regards legislation, institutional means or resources.

Assessment (October 2002)

Progress has been made on alignment with the acquis and strengthening administrative capacity. Efforts must continue.