Speech by Romano PRODI , President of the European Commission at the College of Europe, Bruges campus , 12 November 2001
AN ENLARGED AND MORE UNITED EUROPE, A GLOBAL PLAYER
Challenges and opportunities in the new century
[...]
Enlargement
From the very beginning, this Commission's priority has been enlargement.
We have already made extraordinary progress along the road.But much remains to be done.The next twelve months will be decisive.
Tomorrow the Commission will present its annual report on progress achieved in each of the applicant countries and the areas in which they must make further political, economic and social efforts and consolidate their democratic institutions.
I can tell you in advance, however, that in every one of the chapters into which the process of accession has been divided the progress made has been beyond all expectation.
This was not easy to foresee two years ago, when decisions were being taken on timetable, details and stages in this final phase of enlargement.
In a year's time, we shall be giving our assessment of each country's ability to take on the rights and obligations of membership of the Union. We are confident that at that time we will be able to conclude the negotiations with the countries that have complied with the accession criteria.
In line with the objectives set by Parliament and the European Council, the necessary ratifications can be completed and these countries can enter the Union before the elections in June 2004.
Internal security
The determination with which we work for enlargement must not, however, make us blind or deaf to the fears that accompany this process.
The foremost preoccupation is security. This is a legitimate concern to which we must give concrete answers.
With enlargement, the European Union is faced with the problem of controls at its own external borders.
Europe does not consider itself a fortress under siege, nor does it want to erect new walls. Frontiers do not guarantee European unity and national, regional or local diversity; the sharing of fundamental principles does.
However, at this particular moment in time effective border controls are essential to internal security and public confidence.
Such controls will benefit all the member countries, and it is not for the border countries alone to bear the costs and responsibility for them.
It is a problem we all share, and therefore we should work together to analyse it and develop a united strategy with regard to border controls...."
Πηγή: Collège de l'Europe και Εuropean Commission
Enlargement
From the very beginning, this Commission's priority has been enlargement.
We have already made extraordinary progress along the road.But much remains to be done.The next twelve months will be decisive.
Tomorrow the Commission will present its annual report on progress achieved in each of the applicant countries and the areas in which they must make further political, economic and social efforts and consolidate their democratic institutions.
I can tell you in advance, however, that in every one of the chapters into which the process of accession has been divided the progress made has been beyond all expectation.
This was not easy to foresee two years ago, when decisions were being taken on timetable, details and stages in this final phase of enlargement.
In a year's time, we shall be giving our assessment of each country's ability to take on the rights and obligations of membership of the Union. We are confident that at that time we will be able to conclude the negotiations with the countries that have complied with the accession criteria.
In line with the objectives set by Parliament and the European Council, the necessary ratifications can be completed and these countries can enter the Union before the elections in June 2004.
Internal security
The determination with which we work for enlargement must not, however, make us blind or deaf to the fears that accompany this process.
The foremost preoccupation is security. This is a legitimate concern to which we must give concrete answers.
With enlargement, the European Union is faced with the problem of controls at its own external borders.
Europe does not consider itself a fortress under siege, nor does it want to erect new walls. Frontiers do not guarantee European unity and national, regional or local diversity; the sharing of fundamental principles does.
However, at this particular moment in time effective border controls are essential to internal security and public confidence.
Such controls will benefit all the member countries, and it is not for the border countries alone to bear the costs and responsibility for them.
It is a problem we all share, and therefore we should work together to analyse it and develop a united strategy with regard to border controls...."
Πηγή: Collège de l'Europe και Εuropean Commission