Written question asked by Win Griffiths (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 November 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 2 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the state of the EU enlargement negotiations in respect of (a) Cyprus, (b) Czech Republic, (c) Estonia, (d) Hungary, (e) Poland and (f) Slovenia.

Answer: Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of the EU enlargement negotiations in respect of (a) Cyprus, (b) Czech Republic, (c) Estonia, (d) Hungary, (e) Poland and (f) Slovenia. [135391] Mr. Vaz: Accession negotiations with the six countries listed were launched in March 1998. For the purpose of negotiations, the "acquis communautaire" (ie the body of law and practice to which all member states subscribe) of the European Union is divided into 31 "chapters". By 5 October, the countries concerned had "opened" (ie started negotiations on) 29 (out of 31) chapters. Cyprus had "provisionally closed" (ie no further negotiations are required at this stage) 16 chapters, Estonia 14, Hungary and the Czech Republic 13 each, Slovenia 12 and Poland 11. These countries are expected provisionally to close a number of further chapters at the Deputies Conferences scheduled for 14 November and at the Ministerial Conferences on 5 December.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 355 c559W; 135391
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Czechia Cyprus EU law EU accession EU enlargement Hungary Estonia Poland Slovenia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk