Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-09-Speech-3-145"
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"en.20030409.4.3-145"2
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".
We voted for assent to the Accession Treaty for 10 new Member States to the European Union. There could be no question of casting doubt over enlargement today, which was what really was at stake in the vote. Old Europe and new Europe will disappear in 2004. They will be replaced by a Union covering its rightful territory at last. I understand this to be the whole of our continent.
This vote did indeed take place against the backdrop of a tense international situation. It should not, however, cast doubt over enlargement. Today, we reaffirm our confidence in the ability of the candidate countries to come back into the European family. The current tension in diplomatic spheres apart, we also recognise the tremendous political, economic and social efforts they have made.
There is concern in some quarters that the Europe of the 25 is likely to begin operating in a context of institutional uncertainty. The future European Constitution may well not be in force on 1 May 2004. There was a case for delaying today’s votes, given that the work of the Convention is proceeding so slowly. It does not, however, seem fair to make the candidate countries bear the consequences of our inability to take decisions and reform the European institutions.
We certainly do not think it is fair to do so. Confirming enlargement on the date planned makes it incumbent on us to keep to the timetable for institutional reform. This is the strong political message the House is sending out to the Member States. The message also has the advantage of being positive."@en1
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