European Union negotiates on enlargement with the applicant countries. From the beginning of 1998 five countries from Eastern Europe and Cyprus have participated in the negotiations. Prerequi-site for membership is the ability of new countries to attend to their membership obligations and adaptation of their economic and social systems to membership. In this connection SDP emphasizes that the applicant countries shall reach EU level in labour market and environmental legislation. SDP supports enlargement.
Enlargement benefits both new and old members.
New Member States will be admitted to cooperation that secures peace, democracy, political and economic stability. Old Member States benefit as stability in Europe increases and single market widens. The economic, social and labour market problems connected with enlargement can be solved. EU must improve its functional ability in foreign and security policy. European security system is based on respect for human rights, prevention of conflicts and cooperation in peace-keeping and peacemaking.