We are determined to move on in the negotiations in line with the Road Map and then to add those chapters where we have made sufficient progress and feel able to withstand the scrutiny. We saw a broad and transparent debate on the future of Europe being launched on March 7, 2001. This approach is precisely what I would like to build upon. I would therefore like to encourage representatives of both candidate countries and EU member countries to use the occasions of their bilateral and, if possible, multilateral fora to find space to discuss with ordinary citizens the future of Europe. These activities will also be included into the Communication Strategy the Czech government has embarked upon to make available information on the EU to the public in general and at the same time to obtain some feedback.
Public support is a fundamental condition for further integration.
Let me add that for the Czech Republic it is crucial to take part in this IGC as a full Member State. I appreciate the main contributions we have already heard in the debate on the future of Europe. I believe the debate will be conducted without any prejudice, in a sincere effort to find the most suitable model for a given phase of development. This debate cannot be understood as a a kind of confrontation but as means of submitting various visions and approaches and then to explore their possible convergence towards generally acceptable conclusions. It is quite natural for everyone to believe that his or her idea is the best, however, none can implement it within the European framework exclusively on their own, without others.