EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 12.10.2011 SEC(2011) 1201 COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER TURKEY 2011 PROGRESS REPORT Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2011-2012 {COM(2011) 666} EN EN TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 3 1.1. Preface.......................................................................................................................... 3 1.2. Context ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Relations between the EU and Turkey......................................................................... 3 2. Political criteria and enhanced Political dialogue ........................................................ 5 2.1. Democracy and the rule of law .................................................................................... 5 2.2. Human rights and the protection of minorities ............................................................ 5 2.3. Regional issues and international obligations............................................................ 20 3. Economic criteria....................................................................................................... 43 3.1. The existence of a functioning market economy ....................................................... 45 3.2. The capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union .................................................................................................................................... 45 4. Ability to assume the obligations of membership...................................................... 49 4.1. Chapter 1: Free movement of goods .......................................................................... 52 4.2. Chapter 2: Freedom of movement for workers.......................................................... 55 4.3. Chapter 3: Right of establishment and freedom to provide services ......................... 56 4.4. Chapter 4: Free movement of capital......................................................................... 57 4.5. Chapter 5: Public procurement................................................................................... 58 4.6. Chapter 6: Company law............................................................................................ 59 4.7. Chapter 7: Intellectual property law........................................................................... 60 4.8. Chapter 8: Competition policy................................................................................... 62 4.9. Chapter 9: Financial Services..................................................................................... 63 4.10. Chapter 10: Information society and media............................................................... 64 4.11. Chapter 11: Agriculture and rural development......................................................... 66 4.12. Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy .................................. 67 4.13. Chapter 13: Fisheries..................................................................................................69 4.14. Chapter 14: Transport policy ..................................................................................... 70 4.15. Chapter 15: Energy.................................................................................................... 72 4.16. Chapter 16: Taxation.................................................................................................. 74 4.17. Chapter 17: Economic and Monetary policy ............................................................. 75 EN 1 EN 4.18. Chapter 18: Statistics..................................................................................................76 4.19. Chapter 19: Social policy and employment ............................................................... 77 4.20. Chapter 20: Enterprise and industrial policy.............................................................. 80 4.21. Chapter 21: Trans European Networks...................................................................... 81 4.22. Chapter 22: Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments .................. 82 4.23. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights ........................................................... 83 4.24. Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security ................................................................. 88 4.25. Chapter 25: Science and research .............................................................................. 96 4.26. Chapter 26: Education and culture............................................................................. 97 4.27. Chapter 27: Environment ........................................................................................... 99 4.28. Chapter 28: Consumer and health protection........................................................... 101 4.29. Chapter 29: Customs Union..................................................................................... 103 4.30. Chapter 30: External relations.................................................................................. 104 4.31. Chapter 31: Foreign, Security and Defence Policy.................................................. 105 4.32. Chapter 32: Financial control................................................................................... 107 4.33. Chapter 33: Financial and budgetary provisions...................................................... 109 Statistical Annex .................................................................................................................... 110 EN 2 EN 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Preface Following the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council in December 1997, the Commission has reported regularly to the Council and the Parliament. This report on progress made by Turkey in preparing for EU membership largely follows the same structure as in previous years. The report: – briefly describes the relations between Turkey and the Union; – analyses the situation in Turkey in terms of the political criteria for membership; – analyses the situation in Turkey on the basis of the economic criteria for membership; – reviews Turkey's capacity to assume the obligations of membership, that is the acquis expressed in the Treaties, the secondary legislation and the policies of the Union. This report covers the period from October 2010 to September 2011. Progress is measured on the basis of decisions taken, legislation adopted and measures implemented. As a rule, legislation or measures which are being prepared or awaiting Parliamentary approval have not been taken into account. This approach ensures equal treatment across all reports and permits an objective assessment. The report is based on information gathered and analysed by the Commission. Many sources have been used, including contributions from the government of Turkey, the EU Member States, European Parliament reports1 and information from various international and non- governmental organisations. The Commission draws detailed conclusions regarding Turkey in its separate communication on enlargement2, based on the technical analysis contained in this report. 1.2. Context The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 granted the status of candidate country to Turkey. Accession negotiations with Turkey were opened in October 2005. The Association Agreement between Turkey and the then EEC was signed in 1963 and entered into force in December 1964. Turkey and the EU formed a customs union in 1995. 1.3. Relations between the EU and Turkey Accession negotiations with Turkey continued. During the preparatory analytical phase, the level of preparedness to start negotiations on individual chapters has been assessed on the basis of screening reports. Out of a total of 33 screening reports, one has still to be delivered to the Council by the Commission, whilst nine are being discussed in the Council. So far, negotiations have been opened on 13 chapters (Science and research, Enterprise and industry, Statistics, Financial control, Trans-European networks, Consumer and health 1 The rapporteur for Turkey is Mrs Oomen-Ruijten. 2 Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2011-2012 - COM(2011) 666. EN 3 EN protection, Intellectual property law, Company law, Information society and media, Free movement of capital, Taxation, Environment and Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy), one of which (Science and research) was provisionally closed. The December 2006 Council decision3 remains in force. The enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Turkey has continued. A political dialogue meeting was held at political director level in July 2011. These meetings focused on the main challenges faced by Turkey in terms of the Copenhagen political criteria and reviewed the progress made towards fulfilling Accession Partnership priorities. Foreign policy issues relating to regions of common interest to the EU and Turkey, such as the Middle East, Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan and the Southern Caucasus, were also regularly discussed. Turkey has become more active in its wider neighbourhood and is a leading regional player. A number of high-level visits from Turkey to the European institutions took place during the reporting period. The EU-Turkey Customs Union continues