Poland - Economic Reform

Short-term priorities:

• To establish medium-term economic policy priorities and to make a joint assessment within the framework of the Europe Agreement;
• To adopt measures to deal with the external deficit;
• To accelerate the privatisation of State enterprises;
• To contribute to the sound development of the financial sector.

Assessment (October 1999)

Poland implemented its short-term priorities measures in part.

A medium-term economic strategy was developed. Privatisation and restructuring of some State enterprises was carried out, but further efforts were needed for restructuring enterprises in the coming years. The financial sector was strengthened by framework legislation and progress was made on privatising banks. In the telecommunications sector, legislation on interconnection was adopted. A start was made on privatising TPSA (telecommunications), but no progress was made in setting up a regulatory authority. No improvement was recorded in respect of bankruptcy procedures.

Assessment (November 2000)

The restructuring of the steel industry continued. Little progress was noted on restructuring and privatising the main steelworks. Some notable privatisation successes were recorded in other sectors. No improvements were noted in the functioning of the land register or bankruptcy procedures. Economic stability had largely been achieved.

Assessment (November 2001)

Economic stability has been achieved. Efforts are continuing to restructure the steel industry and on privatisation. Improvements have been made in the functioning of the land register and bankruptcy procedures.

Assessment (October 2002)

Progress with privatisation is less marked. Certain steps have been taken to facilitate the restructuring of the steel and railway industries and, to a lesser extent, of the coal industry.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

• To complete privatisation;
• To strengthen the institutions necessary for the operation of the market economy.

Assessment (October 1999)

Poland completed its first joint assessment and developed a macro-economic strategy in order to balance its books. Significant progress was made in bringing Polish legislation on the central bank into line with Community requirements. The new legal framework strengthened the independence of the central bank, but further efforts were needed to prepare for its accession to the European system.

Assessment (November 2000)

Competitiveness had improved as regards the policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and export promotion.

Assessment (November 2001)

As regards competitiveness, progress has been noted in SME policy and the promotion of exports, and improvements have been made to their legal and commercial framework. The reform of the steel and coal industries and social security has continued, as have efforts to consolidate the property market. A budget monitoring procedure still needs to be put in place.

Assessment (October 2002)

Considerable efforts have been made to maintain macroeconomic and budgetary stability, while progress has been achieved in implementing an institutional framework for the market economy. In general, the priorities set for the accession partnership as regards economic criteria have, to a large extent, been achieved.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

REFERENCES

Council Decision 98/260/EC of 30.03.1998

Official Journal L 121 of 23.04.1998

Commission Opinion COM(97) 2002 final

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98) 701 final

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999) 509 final

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 709 final

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 700 final - SEC(2001) 1752

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1408

Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1207

Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

Last updated: 19.11.2004