TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction by the Government Plenipotentiary for Polands Accession Negotiations to the European Union . . . .5 1. Decade of Polands Integration with the European Union (1989-1999) . . .9 Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the European Communities Association PreAccession Process Preparation for the Accession Process Beginning of the Accession Process 2. Organisational Structure of Accession Negotiations in Poland . . . 19 Outline of the Negotiation Structure Committee for European Integration Chief Negotiator Negotiation Team Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs 3. Negotiation Structure of the European Union . . . . . 29 Negotiation Principles Main Actors Enlargement Directorate-General 4. Principles and Conduct of Polands Accession Negotiations . . . . 33 Principles and Objectives of Accession Negotiations Screening Negotiations Ratification of the Accession Treaty 5. Accession Negotiation Timetable . . . . . .41 Opening of the Negotiations Screening Negotiations Planned Negotiation Schedule 6. CoÐoperation with the Territorial Self-Government and Social Partners ...51 Openness of the Negotiations Cooperation with the Territorial Self-Government Co-operation with Social Partners 7. Poland visavis Other States Negotiating EU Membership . . . . . 61 Joint Opening of the Accession Process Diversification of the Pace Status of the Accession Negotiations in the Luxembourg and Helsinki Group States CoÐoperation of the Luxembourg Group Countries 8. EU Enlargement: Historical and Political Perspectives . . . . 69 Uniqueness of the Enlargement Complexity of the Accession Complexity of the Negotiations Progress of the Negotiations Main Risks to the Successful Enlargement of the European Union Poland in the European Union Annexes . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 I. Members of the Negotiation Team II. Members of the InterMinisterial Team III. Schedule of Screening Sessions IV. Composition of the Joint Government and Territorial SelfGovernment Committee V. Accession Negotiation Structures and Status in the Luxembourg and Helsinki Group States VI. Polish Chief Negotiators Biography Negotiators Glossary . . . . . . 98