Strategy Paper of the European Commission on progress in the enlargement process. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament.

Abstract

The enlargement of the EU to ten new Member States on 1 May 2004 has further strengthened the unity of the European continent. The historical and political arguments in favour of this enlargement are compelling: it enhances peace, prosperity, stability and security and has also produced substantial economic benefits. Bulgaria and Romania are an integral part of this enlargement process which was launched in 1997. Both countries are close to completing the negotiations. The EU’s objective is to welcome both countries in January 2007 as members, if they are ready. The Commission’s assessment in this year’s Regular Reports confirms that the Union’s pre-accession strategy with Bulgaria ad Romania has been a success. The transformation process in both countries has been accelerated by the prospect of enlargement. The Commission will make every effort in order to meet the European Council’s objective to bring the negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania to a successful conclusion in 2004, on the basis of own merits, with a view to signing the Accession Treaty as early as possible in 2005