Comprehensive monitoring report on Slovakia's preparation for membership 2003.

Abstract

The accession negotiations with Slovakia were successfully concluded on 13 December 2002 and the Treaty of Accession was signed on 16 April 2003. In a referendum held on 16-17 May, a majority of Slovaks expressed their support for membership of the European Union. Following ratification of the Treaty of Accession, Slovakia will join the EU on 1 May 2004. In its Strategy Paper “Towards the enlarged Union”, which accompanied the 2002 Regular Reports, the Commission stated that: “Acceding countries need to implement the acquis by the date of accession, except in cases where transitional arrangements have been agreed. Commitments undertaken in the negotiations must be fully met before accession. The Regular Reports point to a number of areas where further improvements need to be made in the context of the political and economic criteria and in relationship to the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the acquis. These should be vigorously pursued. In order to analyse progress and to facilitate successful membership of the European Union, the Commission will regularly monitor this and report to Council. The Commission will produce six months before the envisaged date of accession a comprehensive monitoring report for the Council and the European Parliament.”