asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 7 May (
WA 116), whether they will enumerate the eight chapters of the Acquis Communautaire on which negotiations have not yet begun with the six applicant countries; and whether they can give an idea when these negotiations are due to begin. [HL2795]
There are 31 Chapters in the acquis communautaire. The Austrian Presidency opened seven chapters (listed in WA 116). The German Presidency opened eight further chapters (Free Movement of Goods, Company Law, Competition Policy, Fisheries, Statistics, Consumer and Health Protection, Customs Union and External Relations). The Finnish Presidency has indicated that it plans to open a further eight chapters (Free Movement of Services, Free Movement of Capital, Transport, Taxation, EMU, Social Policy and Employment, Energy and Environment) between July and December 1999. The EU is committed to opening the remaining eight chapters (Free Movement of People, Agriculture, Regional Policy, JHA, Financial Control, Financial and Budgetary Provisions, Institutions, and finally others) as early as possible next year.