EC report to suggest improvements necessary in key areas before membership

The European Commission (EC) report on Poland's readiness to join EU will probably be published on October 16. It is likely to recommend reforms in the areas of food safety, border controls, the judiciary, as well as to prepare the administration system to manage EU funds. The EC report will suggest that final negotiations be closed in December 2002. European Affairs Minister Danuta Huebner, says the report will not be a criticism, but rather a suggestion to "focus on some issues". She added that a meeting with EC representatives at the beginning of September will be the last opportunity to improve Poland's image. This year the EC is mainly focusing on evaluating each candidate's administrative abilities to enforce and implement European law. According to the EC's preliminary evaluation, each of the candidates who has a chance to join the EU in 2004, has some problems with their civil service. Head of the Sejm's European Commission Jozef Oleksy, said that the report will be positive for Poland. (Gazeta Wyborcza, July 13-14, p. 23) A.Z.