Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2006 - 2007

equirements, and prospectuses need further adaptation. Supervisory capacity needs to be
further strengthened, in particular in the insurance and securities market sectors.
Progress has been made in parts of the information society and media areas, including local
broadcasting in other languages. Turkey achieved a good basis for further alignment in
electronic communications and information technologies. Overall alignment in media and
audiovisual policy remains very limited.
In agriculture some limited progress was achieved on rural development. However,
implementation was put into risk by delays in adopting related legislative measures and
administrative structures. Most administrative structures to implement the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) remain to be developed. Turkish policy to increasingly link
financial support to the production level is not in line with the reform of CAP. Overall,
alignment is limited. Concerning fisheries, Turkey made no progress. Important elements of
the acquis are missing in Turkish legislation. Structures to implement the Common Fisheries
Policy are not in place. Limited progress was made in aligning the veterinary, phytosanitary
and food policy. Neither the legislative framework nor the administrative structures are in
place to allow implementation of the acquis. In general, control systems are weak. The main
difficulty is in the veterinary sector, in particular in view of the animal health situation, the
lack of an effective animal disease control system.
Some progress has been made in transport policy. Alignment is fairly advanced on road
transport, but uneven in the other sectors. Implementation and enforcement capacity require
attention. A decision on the structure of the railway sector is pending. International maritime
and air transport agreements are not complemented by the transposition of applicable acquis.
Limited progress was made on Trans European Networks. On energy there was some
progress. However, legal alignment is uneven. A framework law for energy efficiency
remains to be developed. The administrative capacity, and the independence of regulatory
bodies, needs strengthening.
There was limited progress on taxation. The Turkish fiscal regime is partially in line with the
acquis. Incomplete are particularly the scope and rates of VAT, the structure and rates of
excise duties, as well as direct taxation in general. All discriminatory elements on the taxation
of alcoholic and tobacco products need to be abolished urgently.
Turkey made progress on the field of economic and monetary union. In general, preparations
are well under way. However, legislation to prevent monetary financing of the public sector,
as well as prohibition of privileged access of public authorities to financial institutions is not
in line with the acquis. Furthermore, a lack of efficient coordination and cooperation practises
reduces the effectiveness of economic policy. Turkey made some progress in the use of
uniform classifications and the availability of sector statistics. Alignment remains limited, but
new legislation is providing significant progress.
Turkey made some limited progress on EU employment and social policy, in particular in the
field of social protection and as regards the implementation of the new law for people with
disabilities. However, full respect of trade union rights needs to be ensured. Combating
unregistered employment requires attention. The administrative capacity needs to be enhanced
to ensure implementation.
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