Enlargement of the European Union is another step in that direction. The Maastricht Treaty lays down the long-term goal of integrating the European Union and the Western European Union. At least since then, the ambitions of the European Union to create a new European security architecture have been clear. Thus, any enlargement of the EU will be a step towards increased security in Europe as well. I underline that, because enlargement of the EU is part of the burden-sharing between the United States and the European Union in security matters.
Enlargement is costly.
We do not just expect the applicants to be ready for the Union, we are actively preparing their economies, as well as their democratic institutions, their educational facilities and their media. We want their societies to be democratic, open, tolerant and market-orientated. We want them to be free of hatred and fear, free of crime, corruption and aggressive nationalism. It will take patience on our side, and money. The United States has contributed so much to welfare and stability in Europe since 1945, and we have been trying to play a similar role in the newly democratic countries since 1989.