WITH the signing of the European Union Accession Treaty in Athens yesterday, Cyprus became an EU ‘observer’ state, a status it will hold until next May, when the EU swells to 25 members.
Observer status will allow Cyprus and nine other new member states to participate in meetings of the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament, but will not enable them to vote.
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, an official at the European Delegation in Nicosia said the observer status taken on by new member states was essential for ensuring EU enlargement was undertaken as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
“This period is useful for the existing member states and for preparing the candidate countries to be ready for 2004.”
The source stressed that the year-long observer status would assist representatives from the new Acceding Countries by accustoming them to the workings of the EU.
“Training is needed to get used to procedures, to get used to situations like sitting round a table with 25 people, all waiting 50 minutes to speak for a couple of minutes.
“In order to be fully operational and efficient as formal members by May a year’s training is absolutely necessary.”
The source reiterated that Cyprus’ vote would not be taken into account formally in issues decided by the 15 existing member states, but suggested that even without voting, the voices of the new member states were not likely to be drowned out completely.
“They will not take part in the vote and their vote will not be taken into account formally. But obviously they can voice their concerns and this will have some weight in a decision.
“If all acceding countries voice concerns about a particular policy then existing member states will take this into account and might even change their opinion.”
The source added that the adoption of a policy unpopular with observer states was unlikely to occur as it would very likely be overturned once the new member states were able to vote.
“If you start a policy and most of the acceding countries are against it — for example, in terms of financial matters, regional or agricultural policies which will have a big impact on these acceding states — it’s clear that existing members can’t go against their will because as soon as they are members they will reverse this policy. So instead of losing money and time, the opinions of the acceding countries will be taken into account.”
Observer status was adopted by new member states for a year before the previous phase of EU enlargement in 1995, when Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the Union.
