On 9 December 1994, the Brussels daily newspaper La Libre Belgique analyses the range of decisions adopted by the Essen European Council with regard to the process of enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

On 9 December 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Monde considers the major European issues to be tackled at the Essen European Council held on 9 and 10 December and, in particular, the question of the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

On 10 December 1994, commenting on the Essen European Council, the French daily newspaper Libération outlines the implications of the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), with particular regard to the common agricultural policy (CAP) and structural aid to the most disadvantaged regions.

On 10 December 1994, commenting on the Essen European Council, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir outlines the economic difficulties involved in the integration of some of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) into the European Union.

On 9 and 10 December 1994, at the Essen European Council, the Twelve decide, in particular, to use the resources of the PHARE programme (Poland–Hungary: assistance in economic restructuring) as part of the strategy for rapprochement between the ten Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) and the European Union with a view to their future accession.

At the Essen European Council of 9 and 10 December 1994, the Twelve define a pre-accession strategy in order to prepare the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) for the progressive integration of the Community acquis into their national law.

At the Essen European Council (9–10 December 1994), the Twelve determine a pre-accession strategy to prepare the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) for the gradual incorporation of the Community acquis into their national legislation. From left to right: Klaus Kinkel (German Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union), Helmut Kohl (German Chancellor and President-in-Office of the European Council) and Theodor Waigel (German Finance Minister).

On 23 June 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the challenges of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and places particular emphasis on the impatience of some of the applicant countries.