Jim O'Keeffe
Question:245 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the Czech Republic to be a member of the European Union; and the main outstanding issues to be resolved prior to its accession. [2167/01]
Written Answers. - EU Enlargement.
The Czech Republic has made substantial progress in its negotiations and preparations for EU membership. Like all of the "Luxembourg candidates", which began negotiations in 1998, the Czech Republic has opened all chapters for negotiations with the exception of the institutions chapter. Of those 29 chapters opened, the Czech Republic has completed negotiations provisionally in 13 chapters. The successful completion of the Intergovernmental Conference, and the decisions at the Nice European Council on enlargement, have added considerable momentum to the negotiation process, which should see substantive progress by the Czech Republic together with the other candidates in the months ahead.
Under the Commission's enlargement strategy, which was endorsed by the Nice European Council, an indicative programme of work for negotiations has been proposed for the coming 18 months. Chapters likely for progress under the Swedish Presidency include free movement of persons, freedom to provide services, free movement of capital, company law, culture and audio-visual policy, social policy and employment and environment. At this stage, it would not be possible to give precise dates for any candidate's actual accession. However, the Nice European Council reiterated the objective that the EU would be in a position to welcome new member states which are ready from the end of 2002. In addition, the Nice European Council expressed the hope that these countries would be able to take part in the next European Parliament elections in 2004.