Cyprus and Lithuania are in the lead in the EU negotiation talks, with Malta at the low end of the list among the 10 candidate countries aiming to conclude negotiations this year.
During the last negotiating session, Cyprus closed one and Lithuania two chapters. Both countries have managed to close negotiations on 28 out of a total of 30 chapters. Hungary and Slovenia are in second place with 27 chapters closed, followed by Estonia and Slovakia with 26 chapters closed, and the Czech Republic and Poland with 25 chapters closed.
Malta has so far managed to close 22 chapters.
Malta has reached a very advanced stage of negotiations on most of the remaining chapters. However, there are particular issues which are far from settled, such as the government demand to retain zero-VAT rating, the demand for a seven- year transition period on shipyards and pending environmental issues, including hunting.
The government and the EU remain determined to settle all issues this year.
Bulgaria made big progress, closing three chapters, and is now close to the front runners with 20 chapters closed. Rumania lags behind with only 11 chapters closed. However, it intends to conclude negotiations next year. Bulgaria and Rumania are not expected to become members before 2007.
The following chapters were closed on Monday:
¤ Bulgaria: Free movement of goods; Free movement of persons; Taxation - chapters closed: 20;
¤ Rumania: none - chapters closed: 11;
¤ Malta: Institutions - chapters closed: 22;
¤ Slovenia: Institutions - chapters closed 27;
¤ Hungary: none - chapters closed: 24;
¤ Cyprus: Competition - chapters closed 28;
¤ Poland: Fisheries; Transport - chapters closed: 25;
The following chapters were closed yesterday:
Latvia: Taxation; Regional Policy; Justice and Home Affairs - chapters closed: 27;
¤ Estonia: none - chapters closed: 26;
¤ Slovakia: Justice and Home Affairs; Institutions - chapters closed: 26;
¤ Lithuania: Energy; Regional Policy - chapters closed: 28;
¤ Czech Republic: none - chapters closed 25.