German report slams notion of early EU accession
In the midst of conflicting rhetoric from European Union (EU) officials about Poland's chances of entering the exclusive club of developed nations on its official target date of Jan. 1, 2003, nearly 70% of Sejm deputies last week joined in an unwritten pact to push along needed legislation, sources said.
In addition, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, reasserted his government's "unanimous" support of Poland Germany's most important economic partner in central Europe and its goal of joining the EU "as early as possible" during a two-day visit to Poland last week.
During the same week, however, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHT) issued a report that asserts Poland will not be prepared until at least 2005.
While praising its eastern neighbor's development in the last decade as something of an "economic miracle," DIHT's report, "Europa 2000 Plus," states that "2005 is seen as a realistic point in time for EU admission if Poland has done its homework."
"Europa 2000 Plus" mentions Poland's progress since 1989 in such areas as administration, health, pension, education, and social and tax reforms. On the downside, however, it points out that Poland still needs to enact or amend approximately 180 laws before the country qualifies for EU membership. The report identifies the biggest obstacles to membership as standards and certifications relating to the internal market, ownership laws, state aids and environmental protection. In addition, "Europa 2000 Plus" calls for the restructuring of such domestic sectors as automobile, steel, coal and agriculture, and the removal of special economic zones.
Andrzej Harasimowicz, spokesman for the Committee for European Integration (KIE), said his office was "not very happy" and "surprised" after hearing about the German report.
"It is German industry that will profit most from our entry," he said. "From our point of view ("Europa 2000 Plus") is illogical. You can't ask your partners to do more, more and more."
Harasimowicz believes Poland already satisfies the Copenhagen Criteria set forth during the Copenhagen European Council of 1993, which mandate a functioning market economy that can withstand market forces. The criteria also include political requirements generally thought to have been satisfied.
Of the 180 bills and amendments needed to bring Poland in line with EU law, only 20 to 30 are "really important," Harasimowicz said. "This is why we're saying that our date is realistic."
Ewa Stepan, spokeswoman for the Delegation of the European Commission (EC) in Poland, said the EC doesn't address the topic of entry dates. "Quality is more important than dates," she said, declining to discuss what she meant by quality. But, Stepan added, the DIHT is not among the parties involved in the negotiation process.
