Agenda 2000 6/97 Supplement [antikvár]

(a) Preface The application for membership Hungary presented its application for membership of the European Union on 31 March 1994, and the Council of Ministers decided on 18 April 1994 to implement the procedure laid down in Article O of the Treaty, which provides for consultation of the Commission. That is the framework in which the Commission submits the present opinion, responding to the request of the European Council in Madrid in December 1995 to present the opinion as soon as possible after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference, which commenced in March 1996 and concluded in June 1997. The context of the opinion The Hungárián application for membership is being examined at the same time as applications from nine other associated countries. Hungary's accession is to be seen as part of an historic process, in which the countries of Central and Eastern Europe overcome the division of the continent which has lasted for more than 40 years, and jóin the area of peace, stability and prosperity created by the Union. The European Council in Copenhagen in June 1993 concluded that: 'The associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe that so desire shall become members of the Union. Accession will take place as soon as a country is able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions. Membership requires: ?that the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, humán rights and respect for and protection of minorities; ?the existence of a functioning markét economy, as weil as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and markét forces within the Union; ?the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary unión. The Union's capacity to absorb new members, while maintaining the momentum of European integration, is alsó an important consideration in the generál interest of both the Union and the candidate countries.' This declaration spelled out the political and economic criteria for examining the accession requests of the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The European Council in Madrid in December 1995 referred to the need, in the context of the preaccession strategy, 'to create the conditions for the gradual, harmonious integration of the applicant countries, particularly through: ?the development of the markét economy, ?the adjustment of their administrative structure, ?the creation of a stable economic and monetary environment.' In its opinion, the Commission analyses the Hungárián application on its merits, but according to the same criteria as the other applications, on which it is delivering opinions at the same time. This way of proceeding respects the wish, expressed by the European Council in Madrid, to ensure that the applicant countries are treated on an equal basis. In addition to the individual opinions the Commission is presenting separately to the Council, in the framework of its communication 'Agenda 2000', a generál assessment of the accession requests, and its recommendations concerning the strategy for successful enlargement of the Union. At the same time, it is presenting an evaluation of the impact of enlargement on the Union's policies. The contents of the opinion The structure of the opinion takes account of the conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen. It: ?describes the relations up to now between Hungary and the Union, particularly in the framework of the association agreement; ?analyses the situation in respect of the political conditions mentioned by the European Council S. 6/97 9