EU BUDGET: ENLARGEMENT WILL REQUIRE 3,800 NEW COMMISSION STAFF BY 2008.

The annual policy strategy (APS) constitutes the first phase of the inter-institutional dialogue to which the Commission and the Parliament agreed following the row over the Commission's 2002 work programme (see European Report 2644). This document also clears the way for the preparation of the legislative programme, which will be presented at the end of October in light of the November plenary session. It also serves for the preparation of the Preliminary Draft 2003 Budget that will incorporate the recommendations of the Council (see European Report 2661) and those of the Parliament on the basis of reports from G?ran F?rm (PES, Sweden) and Per Stenmark (EPP-ED, Sweden), which are expected to be adopted at the March 11-14 plenary.The 2003 policy strategy spells out three priorities: preparation for enlargement, stability and security, and sustainable and inclusive economy. "Since its establishment, the current Commission has wagered on the complete success of the enlargement process", Romano Prodi told MEPs. "Enlargement remains consequently a fundamental priority for the second half of my mandate. In this respect, 2003 will be one of our most important years, for we must all be ready to assume our responsibilities towards the new Member States", he continued.This priority carries practical consequences if one argues, as the Commission does, on the basis of the "roadmap" ratified by the EU and which leads to the initial wave of accession on January 1, 2004. The Commission, like the other institutions, must from that point on keep itself prepared, not only to accept into its ranks new colleagues from the new Member States, but also to complete preparation measures in the countries which, in 2003, will still be involved in the transition phase of accession.This is why the...