E.U. Enlargement
.-INTRODUCTION
European Union enlargement is fast approaching; negotiations have begun with the called fast-track candidates. Those countries, out of a possible 10, that are likely to qualify for EU membership first are the Czech Republic; Estonia; Hungary; Poland; and Slovenia. Waiting in the wings are Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania (as it can be seen in the map below)
In this map we can see all the countries that can be in the enlargement of the European union, in the first wave they are Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary Slovenia and Cyprus (country that we are going to speak during the essay),. In a second wave there will be countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. In the last place we can see to Turkey, which is only an applicant country.
The process of joining the EU is largely a technical one. All the candidates are receiving a great deal of help and instruction from the European Commission and from individual member states on what it means to be an EU member.
Globalization and EU enlargement will shape the future of Europe over the next decades. The eastward enlargement of the European Union is not only a political issue or an effort to reunite peoples sharing a common history, culture, and spiritual values. It is also a process through which Europe's firms seek to enhance their competitiveness by taking advantage of market proximity, lower labor costs in Central and Eastern Europe, and the natural resource endowments of the candidate countries.
2.-EUROPEAN UNION CRITERIA FOR ACCESSION
In June of 1993 at a meeting in Copenhagen, the European Council set forth five political, economic and social criteria that countries must meet in order to be admitted into the Union.
The five criteria are as follows:
. There must be a demonstration that their government is stable and guarantees democratic principles. This includes respect for the law, adherence to civil rights and respect for the rights of national minorities;
2. There must be a demonstration of a functioning market economy;
3. There must be a demonstration of the candidate country's ability to compete competitively with existing market forces within the Union;
4. There must be a demonstration that the candidate can meet the obligations of Union membership. This means that the country must be able to meet the political, economic and monetary requirements of the Union. In addition, there must be acceptance of the Union's legal history. This is often referred to as the `acquis communautaire ' and;
5. The candidate's admission must not in any way jeopardize the level of integrity the Union has already achieved.
All applicants for admission to the Union must meet these criteria. The European Commission has been asked by the European Council (this is not a body of the Union) to monitor and report on the progress candidate countries are making to meet the five criteria.
3.- EU-Cyprus relations
The EU and Cyprus signed an Association Agreement in December 1972 that was complemented by a Protocol concluded in 1987. It constitutes the legal framework for current EU-Cyprus relations. The EU is Cyprus' largest trading partner (51% and 57% of respectively Cyprus exports and imports in the year 2000). A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), consisting of members of the EP and of the Chamber of Representatives of Cyprus, was set up in 1991. It meets twice a year. Cyprus also benefits from regional and horizontal measures under the MEDA Program. The office of the Delegation of the European Commission was opened in Nicosia in May 1990.
The Republic of Cyprus applied for membership in July 1990. In 1993 the Commission concluded that the application was made in the name of the whole island. In the expectation of significant progress in the UN talks for a settlement the Commission considered Cyprus as eligible for membership. On 6 March 1995, the General Affairs Council Conclusion confirmed Cyprus's suitability for membership and established that accession negotiations with Cyprus would start 6 months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). A structured dialogue was initiated in order to reveal areas where Cyprus had to make efforts to ...
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The Republic of Cyprus applied for membership in July 1990. In 1993 the Commission concluded that the application was made in the name of the whole island. In the expectation of significant progress in the UN talks for a settlement the Commission considered Cyprus as eligible for membership. On 6 March 1995, the General Affairs Council Conclusion confirmed Cyprus's suitability for membership and established that accession negotiations with Cyprus would start 6 months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). A structured dialogue was initiated in order to reveal areas where Cyprus had to make efforts to adapt to the EU's legal system and policies. The European Council in Luxembourg (1997) confirmed that accession negotiations would begin in spring 1998. Turkish Cypriots were invited to be included in the Cypriot delegation. The accession negotiations started on March 30th 1998.
Substantial negotiations for the adoption and the implementation of the EU legislation began in November 1998. A reference to Turkish Cypriot community is included in every position paper. As far as July 2001, all 31 chapters of the acquis have been opened for negotiations and 23 of them have been provisionally closed
4.- Internatiomal Organisations Membership
Among other international organizations, Cyprus is member of UN (1960), Council of Europe, OSCE, Commonwealth of Nations, IMF, WTO, ILO, IMO, and Interpol
5.-Main Institutions of Cyprus
The Republic of Cyprus is an independent sovereign republic with a presidential system of government. The 1960 Constitution has been retained although all provisions relating to the participation of the Turkish community in the exercise of executive, legislative and judicial powers are no longer applied. Under the Constitution, the President of the Republic, elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage, exercises the executive power through a Council of Ministers which he appoints. The current President is Mr Glafcos Clerides. The next presidential elections will be held in February 2003.
The Legislative power is exercised by the House of Representatives. Since the withdrawal of the Turkish Cypriots from the Republic's institutions (1963), the House of Representatives has functioned only with Greek Cypriots parliamentarians. They are elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. The last elections were held on 27 May 2001. There is a special Committee for EU and External Affairs in order to assist the harmonization process. This Committee consisting of 19 members, examines all legislative instruments that are required for the approximation of the national legislation to the acquis, with the possibility of a fast-track.
The administration of justice is exercised by an independent judiciary. The main judicial institutions are the following: The Supreme Court of the Republic, The Assize Court (Permanent Assize Court for all Districts), District Courts, Military Court, Industrial Disputes Court, Rent Control Courts, Family Courts. The Attorney-General of the Republic is appointed by the President of the Republic. He is the Head of the Law Office of the Republic which is an independent office and a key element in the harmonization process. The Attorney-General is the legal adviser of the President and of the Council of Ministers.
6.-Sitution of cyprus
Cyprus, republic, and third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located west of Syria and south of Turkey. The island has a maximum length of about 225 km (140 mi) from Cape Andreas in the north-east to the western extremity of the island. Its maximum width, from Cape Gata in the south to Cape Kormakiti in the north, is about 97 km (60 mi). The total area of the country is 9,251 sq km (3,572 sq mi). Nicosia is the capital and largest city. Since 1974 the northern third of Cyprus has been occupied by Turkish troops and has formed, de facto, a separate (though officially unrecognized) state.
Population
Greek-speaking Cypriots make up about 80 per cent of the population. About 18 per cent of the population is of Turkish extraction, and the remainder is made up of Armenians and other ethnic groups. Both the Greek and Turkish communities retain the way of life, customs, and, to a great extent, the national identity of their co-religionists on the mainland. Mass migrations since the Turkish invasion in 1974 have effected a virtually complete geographical separation of Greeks and Turks, with the former occupying the southern two thirds of the island and the latter occupying the remainder. The people are predominantly farmers who work the land surrounding their villages.
The combined population of the Greek and Turkish sectors (2001 estimate) was about 762,887. The overall population density was about 82 per sq km (214 per sq mi).
current situation
The continuous strengthening of the International State Fair of Cyprus has a very positive impact on the Cyprus economy. The coordinated efforts of the public and private sectors in recent years have resulted in a dynamic, flexible and robust economy. The rate of economic growth during the year 2000 reached 5% in comparison to 3.4% in the European Union. The tourist sector's excellent results and the improved level of industrial exports have contributed to this. Unemployment is characterized by a downward trend, as in 1999 it dropped from 3.6% to 3.4%. There are virtually conditions of full employment, in contrast with the EU, where unemployment is around 9%. The upward trend of inflation in 2000 was temporary and already in the first months of 2001, there was a decrease. The rate of inflation is therefore expected to drop to around 2%, meeting the relevant Maastricht criteria.
Fiscal issues constitute a vital sector not only because of Cyprus's aim to harmonize with the European Union. The fiscal imbalances during 1997-1999 led us to adopt a program of fiscal amelioration. The implementation of this program was successful. As a result, the public deficit drastically dropped to 2.7% of the GNP in 2000, and the public debt was kept at around 60% of the GNP. The relevant Maastricht criteria were therefore met.
The prospects of the economy appear to be promising. Conditions of internal and external economic stability are expected to continue. But Cyprus cannot be complacent because the economy is facing the challenge of European Union accession and that of its adjustment to the new conditions. These conditions have been the result of the globalization of economic activities, liberalization and intense competition.
This is why Cyprus must all be aware of the need to take measures to upgrade the quality of the infrastructure and to expand the productive base of the economy. The sector of commerce and industry must be able to meet the challenges, taking advantage of the opportunities created by the liberalization of commerce and exploiting the new technologies.
From its part, the government supports this reconstruction effort with the new industrial policy, which aims at the introduction of up-to-date technology in the productive process. Furthermore, the government will intensify its efforts for the reformation of the public sector and economic prudence. The goal for Cyprus is to save resources so as to be utilized in productive investments, but also in sectors connected with the quality of life.
7.-The Cyprus problem
For EU most important thing that has to happen is that there must be a resolution of, or a decision taken on what to do about, what is commonly referred to as 'the Cyprus problem'. At the heart of this problem is the division of the island into Greek and Turkish zones, with Greece supporting the Greek zone in its ambitions to see a united island joining the EU, and Turkey supporting the Turkish zone in its wish for independence and its complete opposition to Cyprus becoming an EU member as long as the division of the island exists in its current form.
The process of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union is nearing completion not only because Cyprus is harmonizing with the acquis communautaire at a satisfactory pace, but also because is following a correct strategy in the Cyprus problem. However, the government would be happier if the Turkish Cypriot leadership had positively responded to our invitation for their participation in the Cyprus delegation which is negotiating our accession to the European Union.
A solution to Cyprus national problem in the near future is difficult, because that also depends on the Turkish side. However join to the European Union will become a reality since a solution to the Cyprus problem is not a precondition for accession.
Over and above the economic, social and political benefits of which the people of Cyprus will derive from the accession, the accession of Cyprus to the European Union will give a new dimension to the security of Cyprus because of its participation in the European defense and security institutions
8.-CONCLUSION
Enlargement presents a huge task to the European Union. Beyond the legal requirements, there are many complicated political and practical issues that must be successfully managed. The goal is to further integrate Europe into a single market. At the same time it must be acknowledge that the EU has moved beyond just a common market. The Union has legislated in areas of human rights, the environment and workers' rights. The enlargement facing the EU today poses a unique challenge, since it is without precedent in terms of scope and diversity: the number of candidates, the area (increase 34%) and population (increase of 105 million), the wealth of different histories and cultures this topic is of great intensity not only for applicant countries, but also the for Union itself.
For the integration of Cyprus would be completed they should:
* reaffirms the suitability of Cyprus for accession to the European Union and confirms the European Union's will to incorporate Cyprus in the next stage of its enlargement,
* regrets the lack of progress in the inter-communal talks taking place under the auspices of the UN Secretary General and calls upon all parties to step up their efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, based on the concept of a bi-communal and bi-zonal Federation,
* considers that the developments noted in the last few months have enabled elements which could be useful for defining an agreement to be identified,
* considers that Cyprus' accession to the EU should bring increased security and prosperity to both communities on the island. In particular it should allow the North to catch up economically and should improve the outlook for growth and employment, particularly for the Turkish-Cypriot community. The Council considers that this community must perceive the advantages of EU accession more clearly and its concern at the prospect must be allayed. The Council calls upon the Commission to organize the requisite contacts to this end with the Turkish-Cypriot community, in consultation with the Government of Cyprus.
* Concrete proposals for a specific strategy in preparation for accession, including a structured dialogue, the precise details of which will be established in accordance with the Annex hereto.
9-BIBLIOGRAPHY
> Essential Texts
- The enlargement of the European Union. - Luxembourg (1994)
- Enlargement strategy paper : report Office for Official Publications (2001)
- Cyprus and the European Union: London: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1995
- Finance & Development; Washington; Sep 2000
- World Trade Magazine Inc. Apr 2000
> Internet
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/?ok
- http://europa.eu.int/
- http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/GSSI/eu.html
- http://www.cyprus-eu.org.cy
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