Executive Summary
The present White Paper forms part of the pre-accession strategy for the associated countries of central and eastern Europe which was adopted by the Essen European Council in December 1994. Its purpose is to provide a guide to assist the associated countries in preparing themselves for operating under the requirements of the European Union's internal market. Alignment with the internal market is to be distinguished from accession to the Union which will involve acceptance of the acquis communautaire as a whole.
The White Paper identifies the key measures in each sector of the internal market and suggests a sequence in which the approximation of legislation should be tackled. However a merely formal transposition of legislation will not be enough to achieve the desired economic impact or to ensure that the internal market functions effectively after further enlargement. Accordingly, equal importance is attached to the establishment of adequate structures for implementation and enforcement, which may be the more difficult task. The inclusion of legislation in the fields of competition, social and environment policy, parts of which are essential to the functioning of the internal market, will ensure a balanced approach.
The associated countries themselves have the main responsibility for alignment with the internal market and will establish their own sectoral priorities. But the Union is already providing assistance, notably through PHARE, for the approximation of legislation and this should now be enhanced and adapted to the White Paper's recommendations.
Additional help will be provided, notably through a new technical assistance information exchange office, managed by the Commission and supported by a multi-country PHARE programme. This office will facilitate the provision of assistance, by setting up a database on alignment with the internal market and related assistance, which will be accessible to all interested parties, and by acting as a clearing house to match requests for assistance with advice and expertise available in the Union. Such assistance will come from the Commission, the Member States and private bodies. The White Paper provides for the coordination of assistance and the monitoring of progress in implementing its recommendations.
Alignment with the internal market is expected to reinforce economic reform and industrial restructuring and to stimulate trade and commerce. The White Paper outlines the steps to be taken by the Commission, the associated countries and the Member States to ensure that these benefits are achieved.
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