Change always brings challenges. In your country, and in many neighbouring countries, much hardship has been endured on the road to market economy and multi-party democracy. The European Union has sought to extend the hand of friendship to help make this transition a success. And this also involves change within the European Union. In a month, the European Council will meet in Nice for the Inter-Governmental Conference.
Enlargement is of vital importance for the political and economic future of Europe.
The European Union has already been enlarged successfully on a number of occasions. But the next phase of enlargement is on an unprecedented scale. Negotiations are under way with twelve countries. Clearly, enlargement on this scale is a major undertaking. The EU must do everything in its power to ensure that this historic step is a success.