Volume I of the European Commission Communication of 16 July 1997 entitled Agenda 2000 for a stronger and wider Union.

Volume II of the Communication Agenda 2000, presented on 16 July 1997 by the European Commission, relating to the reinforcement of the pre-accession strategy.

The Luxembourg European Council on 12 and 13 December 1997 decides to launch a comprehensive, inclusive and ongoing enlargement process, including the ten applicant States for accession to the Union from Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus.

On 29 March 1998, commenting on the forthcoming enlargement of the Europe of the Fifteen, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the difficulties surrounding the negotiations for the accession of the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) to the European Union.

On 30 March 1998, at the opening in Brussels of negotiations on EU accession with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel highlights the historic nature of the European Union’s next enlargement.

On 30 March 1998, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs, gives an interview to Radio France Internationale (RFI) in which he comments on the forthcoming opening of negotiations on accession to the European Union with six initial applicant countries.

On 30 March 1998, the meeting of the European Union General Affairs Council in Brussels marks the beginning of the process of accession to the European Union of the first wave of applicant countries, known as the ‘Luxembourg Group’.

On 30 March 1998, commenting on the opening of the accession negotiations with the first six applicant countries, the German daily newspaper Die Welt considers the implications of the latest enlargement of the European Union.

On 30 March 1998, the German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung considers the challenges posed by the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and emphasises how important it is for the European Community to reform its institutions.

On 1 April 1998, following the official opening in Brussels of European Union accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the German financial daily newspaper Handelsblatt outlines the economic and political challenges of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union.

On 3 April 1998, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the implications of the future enlargement of the European Union.

In May 1998, the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne comments on the opening of the accession negotiations with six applicant countries and outlines the challenges of the future enlargement of the European Union.

On 14 February 2000, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung comments on the opening of the negotiations for accession to the European Union with Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Malta.

‘In the waiting room …’ In December 2000, referring to the agenda of the Nice European Council, the German cartoonist, Walter Hanel, takes an ironic look at the slow pace of the process leading to the accession of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) to the European Union.

In this interview, Jacques Santer, former President of the European Commission, recalls the difficulties faced and the strategy adopted by the Commission in the late 1990s in the preparations for the enlargement of the European Union to include the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

In this interview, Jean-Jacques Kasel, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the Council of the European Communities, then to the Council of the European Union, from 1992 to 1998, explains the preparations for the negotiation process held with a view to the enlargement of the European Union to include the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

On 11 December 1998, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the attitude of countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CCEE) towards the enlargement process of the European Union.

On 1 January 1999, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the levels of preparation of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) in the light of European Monetary Union (EMU).

In June 2000, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique analyses the consequences for the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) of their accession to the European Union.

Map giving some statistics for the year 2000 about the European Union Member States and candidate countries.

In 2000, the German cartoonist, Walter Hanel, illustrates the long road ahead for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) as they prepare for accession to the European Union.

On 13 November 2000, in Berlin, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) adopts a resolution in which it outlines the various implications of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union.

On 13 November 2001, Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, considers the successive stages of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union, referring to Europe’s historic duty.

On 13 November 2001, Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement, delivers to the European Parliament an address in which he gives a progress report on the negotiations for accession to the European Union.

On 13 November 2001, the Brussels daily newspaper La Libre Belgique outlines the progress of the negotiations for accession to the European Union and considers the issue of the adoption of the acquis communautaire by the applicant countries.

In February 2002, the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne conducts an interview with Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement, in which he comments on the accession negotiations.

On 22 May 2002, the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia adopt a joint statement on the final stage of negotiations for the accession of their countries to the European Union.

Günter Verheugen, Member of the European Commission, since 1999 with special responsibility for the enlargement of the European Union.

On 25 July 2002, in an interview granted to the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement, outlines the implications of and difficulties presented by enlargement.

‘A helping hand.’ In October 2002, in connection with the future enlargement of the European Union, German cartoonist Mohr takes an ironic look at the difficulties facing the candidate countries.

Meeting in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 2002, the Fifteen take a series of important decisions on budgetary, financial and institutional issues which have become necessary as a result of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union.

On 28 October 2002, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, welcomes the European Union applicant countries and outlines to them the outcome of the Brussels European Council held on 24 and 25 October.

On 8 November 2002, some weeks prior to the Copenhagen European Council of 12 and 13 December that brought to a close the accession negotiations with ten applicant countries, Eneko Landáburu, Director-General of Enlargement at the European Commission, delivers a speech on the reasons behind and the special nature of the fifth enlargement of the European Union.

On 19 November 2002, Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, emphasises the historical significance of the debate on enlargement which is also attended by Members of Parliament from the countries applying for accession to the European Union.

On 19 November 2002, the European Parliament holds an extraordinary debate on the future of the European Union after enlargement which is also attended by Members of Parliament from the applicant countries.

On 19 February 2003, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the accession to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

On 14 April 2003, the Council decides to accept the applications for admission to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

In this interview, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister in the Foreign Ministry with responsibility for European Affairs from 1997 to 2002, discusses the attitude of the French Government led by Lionel Jospin concerning the enlargement process of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

In this interview, Hubert Védrine, former French Foreign Minister, discusses the negotiations that led to the enlargement of the European Union to include 10 new states in 2004 and explains the position of French diplomacy during these negotiations.

On 3 July 1990, the Nicosia Government submits Cyprus’ formal application for accession to the European Communities to Gianni de Michelis, President-in-Office of the Council.

In 1994, in an interview with the French journal Politique internationale, Glafcos Clerides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, discusses the international issues surrounding the reunification of the island of Cyprus.

In 1994, in an interview granted to the French journal Politique internationale, Alecos Michaelides, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, comments on his country’s application for accession to the European Union and justifies the foreign policy of the government in Nicosia.

On 30 June 1997, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwards a note to the Embassies of the 15 Member States of the European Union in which the Turkish Government questions the legality of the application for accession to the EU of the Greek part of Cyprus.

On 14 December 1997, the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus criticises the decision taken by the Luxembourg European Council to open accession negotiations with the Greek part of the island.

On 12 March 1998, the Cypriot President, Glafcos Clerides, calls on Turkish Cypriots to participate in the negotiations on the island’s accession to the European Union.

On 14 March 1998, following the informal meeting, held in Edinburgh, attended by the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, Hubert Védrine, French Foreign Minister, answers questions posed by reporters on the future negotiations for the accession of Cyprus to the EU.

On 25 March 1998, Rauf Denktas, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, forwards to Robin Cook, British Foreign Minister, a letter in which he deplores the opening of negotiations for accession to the European Union with the Greek part of the island.

On 26 March 1998, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus forwards to the British High Commission in Nicosia an aide-memoire in which it deplores the application for accession to the European Union of the Greek-Cypriot part of the island.

On 31 March 1998, Robin Cook, British Foreign Secretary and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, outlines the framework in which the forthcoming accession negotiations with Cyprus will be conducted.

On 15 March 1999, Hubert Védrine, French Foreign Minister, responds to a written question tabled in the French National Assembly and outlines the French Government’s position on the process leading to the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 19 April 1999, during the third Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union (EU) and Cyprus, George Vassiliou, former President of the Republic of Cyprus and Chief Negotiator for the island’s accession to the EU, emphasises the efforts made by his country to comply with the Community acquis.

On 21 June 1999, during the third Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union (EU) and Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, Cypriot Foreign Minister, comments on the state of negotiations for the island’s accession to the EU.

On 11 December 1999, Rauf Denktas, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, deplores the decisions taken at the Helsinki European Council on the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 11 December 1999, the Belgian daily economic newspaper L’Écho reports on the possible accession of Cyprus to the European Union and describes the difficult political situation of an island divided into two since the Turkish military intervention of 1974.

On 17 July 2001, the French daily newspaper Le Figarooutlines the issues involved in the settlement of the partition of the island of Cyprus and predicts lengthy and difficult negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the application for accession to the European Union from the Republic of Cyprus and on the state of negotiations.

On 11 September 2001, Ioannis Kassoulides, Foreign Minister of Cyprus, gives an interview to the German financial daily newspaper Handelsblatt in which he discusses the process for Cyprus’ accession to the European Union and the partition of the island.

On 17 April 2002, George Vassiliou, former President of the Republic of Cyprus and Chief Negotiator for the island’s accession to the European Union (EU), delivers an address on the political and economic implications of his country’s accession to the EU.

On 10 October 2002, in Nicosia, Adrian van der Meer, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Cyprus, submits to the Cypriot President, Glafcos Clerides, a copy of the 2002 report on the progress made by Cyprus towards accession to the European Union. On the left stands George Vassiliou, former President of the Republic of Cyprus and Chief Negotiator for Cyprus’ accession to the EU.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, and his Foreign Minister, Georgios Iacovou, sign the Treaty of Accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 27 April 2004, Georgios Iacovou, Cypriot Foreign Minister, grants an interview to the German daily newspaper Die Welt in which he discusses the issues surrounding the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 24 November 1995, Tiit Vähi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, submits to Javier Solana, Spanish Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, his country’s official application for accession to the European Union.

On 31 March 1998, in Brussels, at the opening of the negotiations for Estonia’s accession to the European Union (EU), Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Estonian Foreign Minister, outlines the implications of his country’s accession to the EU.

On 18 November 1999, Mart Laar, Estonian Prime Minister, gives an interview to the German financial daily newspaper Handelsblatt in which he describes the process for Estonia’s accession to the European Union.

On 26 November 1998, Raul Mälk, Estonian Foreign Minister, delivers an address in the Parliament in Tallinn — the Riigikogu — in which he outlines the country’s policy priorities vis-à-vis the European Union.

In 1999, in an interview granted to the French journal Politique internationale, the Estonian President Lennart Meri assesses relations between his country and Russia and emphasises Estonia’s deep-rooted historical links with Europe.

On 19 January 2000, during debates in the Estonian Parliament — the Riigikogu — Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Foreign Minister, considers the state and the significance of the negotiations for his country’s accession to the European Union (EU).

On 21 July 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro profiles Estonia, a Baltic State and European Union applicant country.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on Estonia’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of negotiations.

On 11 April 2002, Kristiina Ojuland, Estonian Foreign Minister, delivers a detailed report to the Estonian Parliament — the Riigikogu — on the state of Estonia’s negotiations for accession to the European Union.

On 18 November 2002 in Brussels, the General Affairs and External Relations Council considers the path to take in order to conclude the accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia in time for the Copenhagen European Council, due to be held on 12 and 13 December, in accordance with the decisions taken at the Brussels European Council in October. Having taken into account the discussions held at Ministerial level with these countries on the margins of the Council, the Council sets the date for the accession of these countries to the Union at 1 May 2004. The photo shows Kristiina Ojuland, Estonian Foreign Minister, discussing with Per Stig Moller, Danish Foreign Minister.

On 16 December 2002, the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the Riigikogu and the Prime Minister of Estonia make a joint statement in which they welcome the conclusion of the country’s negotiations for accession to the European Union.

Le 15 avril 2003, à la veille de la signature à Athènes du traité d'adhésion de l'Estonie à l'Union européenne, une cinquantaine de manifestants dénoncent à Riga, l'adhésion prochaine de leur pays à l'UE.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Estonia, Arnold Rüütel, and his Foreign Minister, Kristiina Ojuland, sign the Treaty of Accession of Estonia to the European Union.

In the run-up to the referendum held on 14 September 2003 in Estonia on the country’s accession to the European Union, posters published by the Conservative Party Res Publica are displayed, as here in Tallinn, calling on voters to support accession to the EU. The photo shows Juhan Parts, Estonian Prime Minister, and the slogan ‘Say YES to the EU, life will be better’.

On 14 September 2003, in the referendum held in Estonia on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Estonian people vote overwhelmingly (67 %) in favour of accession. The turnout in the referendum is 63 %. In this photo, Arnold Rüütel, President of the Republic of Estonia, puts his ballot paper in the ballot box.

In 2004, the Estonian cartoonist, Hugo Hübus, depicts Estonia’s determination to join the European Union.

On 31 March 1994, Peter Boross, Hungarian Prime Minister, seeks the Republic of Hungary’s accession to the European Union.

On 3 April 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision taken by the Hungarian Government to submit an official application for the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 31 March 1998, László Kovács, Hungarian Foreign Minister, welcomes the opening, in Brussels, of the negotiations for Hungary’s accession to the European Union and emphasises the efforts being made by his country to comply with the Community acquis.

On 25 July 2000, at the Hungarian Ambassadors’ Conference held in Budapest, Robin Cook, British Foreign Secretary, delivers an address on the implications of Hungary’s accession to the European Union.

On 8 and 9 November 2000, Dick Benschop, Netherlands Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Péter Gottfried, Head of the State Secretariat for Integration in the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, exchange letters concerning the latest progress in the process for the enlargement of the European Union.

On 11 December 2000, at the conference of Chief Negotiators held in Luxembourg, the Hungarian, Péter Gottfried, Head of the State Secretariat for Integration in the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, welcomes the progress made at the Nice European Council with regard to the European Union enlargement process.

On 21 June 2001, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro reports on the determination of the Hungarian people to accede quickly to the European Union.

The Association Council between the European Union and Hungary holds its eighth session on Tuesday 17 July 2001 under the chairmanship of Janos Martonyi, Hungarian Foreign Minister. Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Belgian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, heads the European Union Delegation. The Association Council considers the state of preparedness of Hungary for its forthcoming accession to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on Hungary’s application for membership of the European Union and the state of negotiations.

On 8 April 2003, a few days before the referendum in Hungary on the accession of that country to European Union, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung analyses the state of public opinion in Hungary.

On 12 April 2003, the Hungarian people vote overwhelmingly (84 %) in favour of Hungary’s accession to the European Union in a referendum. The turnout in the referendum is 46 %. In this photo, Viktor Orbán, former Hungarian Prime Minister, puts his ballot paper in the ballot box.

On 12 April 2003, in a referendum held in Hungary on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Hungarian people vote overwhelmingly in favour of accession (84 %). The turnout in the referendum is 46 %. From left to right: László Kovács, Hungarian Foreign Minister, and Péter Medgyessy, Prime Minister, welcome the results of the vote.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Medgyessy, and his Foreign Minister, László Kovacs, sign the Treaty of Accession of Hungary to the European Union.

On 13 October 1995, Guntis Ulmanis and Maris Gailis, respectively President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, forward to Javier Solana, Spanish Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union (EU), a letter in which they officially apply for Latvia’s accession to the EU.

On 22 May 1997, at the Pro Baltica Forum, Valdis Birkavs, Latvian Foreign Minister, delivers an address in which he emphasises the importance of European integration for his country.

On 20 November 1997, the Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian Heads of Government adopt a joint resolution on the strengthening of their cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs (JHA).

In 1997, in a memorandum, the Latvian Government outlines the implications of the process leading to the accession of Latvia to the European Union and emphasises the efforts made by the country to comply with the Community acquis.

On 23 February 1998, a press release outlines the main decisions adopted at the first meeting of the EU–Latvia Association Council, held in Brussels.

On 29 April 1998, at the Institute for Foreign Affairs in Rome, Guntis Ulmanis, President of the Republic of Latvia, delivers an address in which he emphasises the importance of his country’s accession to the European Union.

On 7 May 1998, during his visit to the University of Tartu, Valdis Birkavs, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivers an address on the challenges of and the potential role of the Baltic States in the European Union enlargement process.

On 23 September 1998, the Latvian Government sets out its position on the enlargement of the European Union and emphasises the country’s commitment to comply with the accession criteria.

On 6 October 1999, Indulis Berzins, Latvian Foreign Minister, grants an interview to the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in which he outlines the issues involved in Latvia’s accession to the European Union.

On 11 October 1999, in an interview granted to the Luxembourg daily newspaper Tageblatt, Indulis Berzins, Latvian Foreign Minister, considers the issues involved in his country’s accession to the European Union.

In 1999, in an interview granted to the French journalPolitique internationale, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, comments on the process for her country’s accession to the European Union.

On 24 January 2000, Indulis Berzins, Latvian Foreign Minister, delivers an address at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London in which he emphasises the implications of Latvia’s accession to the European Union.

On 15 February 2000, at the opening of the negotiations for Latvia’s accession to the European Union held in Brussels, Indulis Berzins, Latvian Foreign Minister, outlines his country’s guiding objectives.

On 8 May 2000, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung outlines the difficulties involved in the process for the accession of Latvia to the European Union.

Le 29 juillet 2000, le quotidien français Le Figaro pointe une série de raisons qui motivent la Lettonie à vouloir adhérer à l'Union européenne.

On 18 October 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the issues involved in Latvia’s accession to the European Union, with particular regard to its position vis-à-vis Russia.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on Latvia’s application for accession to the European Union and the state of the accession negotiations.

On 12 December 2002, the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen, meeting at the Copenhagen European Council, reach a political agreement on the accession of ten new Member States to the European Union on 1 May 2004. From left to right: Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, and Einars Repše, Latvian Prime Minister.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, and her Prime Minister, Einars Repše, sign the Treaty of Accession of Latvia to the European Union.

On 20 September 2003, in the referendum held in Latvia on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Latvian people vote overwhelmingly (67 %) in favour of accession. The turnout in the referendum is 73 %. From left to right: Maris Gailis, Valdis Birkvas, Andris Berzins and Ivars Godmanis, all four former Latvian Prime Ministers.

On 20 September 2003, in a referendum held in Latvia on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Latvian people vote overwhelmingly in favour of accession (67 %). The turnout in the referendum is 73 %. The day after the vote, Latvians celebrate the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote on the streets of Riga.

On 8 December 1995, Algirdas Brazauskas, President of the Republic of Lithuania, and his Prime Minister, Adolfas Slezevicius, forward to Javier Solana, Spanish Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, a joint letter in which they officially apply for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union.

On 10 December 1997, against the background of the enlargement of the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the three Baltic States seeking accession.

On 26 May 1999, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on Lithuania’s determination to accede to the European Union and speculates on the security of the Ignalina nuclear power plant.

On 15 February 2000, at the opening of the negotiations for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union held in Brussels, Algirdas Saudargas, Lithuanian Foreign Minister, outlines the implications of accession for his country.

On 15 February 2000, in Brussels, Algirdas Saudargas, Lithuanian Foreign Minister (centre), meets Jaime Gama, Portuguese Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union (on the right), and Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner with special responsibility for Enlargement, during the negotiations for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union.

On 23 January 2001, Petras Auštrevicius, Director-General of the Lithuanian European Committee and Chief Negotiator for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, delivers an address to the Lithuanian Parliament in Vilnius — the Seimas — in which he emphasises the importance of European integration for his country.

On 23 January 2001, the Lithuanian Parliament — the Seimas — adopts a resolution on the need to prepare the country for its accession to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on Lithuania’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of the accession negotiations.

On 12 December 2002, at the Copenhagen European Council, Valdas Admakus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, welcomes the success of the negotiations for his country’s accession to the European Union.

On 20 December 2002, Petras Auštrevicius, Director-General of the Lithuanian European Committee and Chief Negotiator for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, gives a positive account of the negotiations for his country’s accession to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, and his Foreign Minister, Antanas Valionis, sign the Treaty of Accession of Lithuania to the European Union.

On 8 May 2003, pro-European festivities take place in Vilnius prior to the referendum due to be held on 10 and 11 May 2003 in Lithuania on the country’s accession to the European Union.

Poster displayed in a polling station in Vilnius as the referendum on Lithuania’s accession to the European Union is held on 10 and 11 May 2003.

On 10 and 11 May 2003, in the referendum held in Lithuania on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Lithuanian people vote overwhelmingly (90 %) in favour of accession. The turnout in the referendum is 65 %. In this photo, Rolandas Paksas, former President of the Republic of Lithuania, puts his ballot paper in the ballot box.

On 20 April 1998, the Maltese General Workers’ Union addresses a memorandum to the Valletta Government on the possible consequences of Malta’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 22 March 1990, in Senglea, the Malta Labour Party (MLP) devotes its party conference to future relations between Malta and the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 16 July 1990, in Brussels, Guido de Marco, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta (left), and Abel Matutes, Member of the European Commission with special responsibility for Mediterranean Policy, Relations with South America and Asia and North-South Relations (right), sign the Republic of Malta’s official application for accession to the European Communities.

On 18 July 1990, commenting on the Republic of Malta’s application for accession to the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Monde profiles the Mediterranean island.

On 25 November 1996, at a meeting of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels, George Vella, Maltese Foreign Minister, outlines the main thrust of the European policy to be pursued by the new Maltese Government.

On 28 April 1998, in Brussels, at the 10th meeting of the EU–Malta Association Council, George Vella, Maltese Foreign Minister, gives an account of relations between Malta and the European Union.

On 10 September 1998, Guido de Marco, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta, renews the Republic of Malta’s official application for accession to the European Union.

On 1 October 1998, commenting on the change of government in Malta, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung speculates on the resumption of the process for the accession of the island to the European Union.

On 15 February 2000, in Brussels, at the opening of the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Malta to the European Union, Joe Borg, Maltese Foreign Minister, emphasises his country’s strong attachment to Europe.

On 15 February 2000, Edward Fenech Adami, Maltese Prime Minister, considers the plus points of the Republic of Malta’s accession to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the Republic of Malta’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of negotiations.

On 17 October 2001, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs, grants an interview to the daily newspaper Times of Malta in which he comments on the state of the negotiations for the Republic of Malta’s accession to the European Union.

On 12 December 2001, in Brussels, at the fifth accession conference with Malta, Joe Borg, Maltese Foreign Minister, gives an account of the two years of negotiations for Malta’s accession to the European Union.

On 2 August 2002, the daily newspaper La Libre Belgique leads with the slow progress of Malta’s negotiations for accession to the European Union and describes the island.

On 24 January 2004, at a seminar held in Valletta by the Maltese Chamber of Commerce, Edward Fenech Adami, Maltese Prime Minister, delivers an address on the costs and benefits for the island of accession to the European Union.

On 5 March 2003, Edward Fenech Adami, Maltese Prime Minister, and the leaders of the country's main professional organisations and trade unions hold a press conference in Valletta in which they declare their support for the ‘Yes' vote in the referendum due to be held on 9 March 2003 on Malta's accession to the European Union.

On 9 March 2003, Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, welcomes the positive outcome of the referendum held in Malta on that country's accession to the European Union.

On 9 March 2003, a national referendum is held in Malta calling on the people to vote for or against Malta’s accession to the European Union. The count reveals that 53.55 % of the electorate was in favour of accession.

On 9 March 2003, as the national referendum is held in Malta on the country’s accession to the European Union, crowds gather in Valletta in front of the ‘Auberge de Castile’, the Prime Minister’s residence, to hear the press conference held by the Maltese Prime Minister, Edward Fenech-Adami.

On 9 March 2003, the Maltese Prime Minister, Edward Fenech-Adami, holds a press conference in Valletta following the national referendum on Malta’s accession to the European Union.

On 9 March 2003, in La Valletta, Edward Fenech Adami, Maltese Prime Minister, gives his immediate reaction to the outcome of the referendum held the same day in Malta on the country's accession to the European Union.

On 10 March 2003, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum held in Malta on the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Malta, Edward Fenech Adami, and his Foreign Minister, Joe Borg, sign the Treaty of Accession of Malta to the European Union.

On 5 April 1994, Waldemar Pawlak, Polish Prime Minister, forwards to Theodore Pangalos, Greek Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, a letter in which he officially applies for the accession of the Republic of Poland to the European Union.

On 7 April 1994, Andrzej Olechowski, Polish Foreign Minister, outlines to the Polish Parliament in Warsaw the reasons why the Republic of Poland is applying for accession to the European Union.

On 31 March 1998, in Brussels, at the opening of the negotiations for Poland’s accession to the European Union, Bronislaw Geremek, Polish Foreign Minister, outlines the position adopted by his country with regard to the forthcoming negotiations.

On 31 March 1998, in Brussels, at the opening of the negotiations for Poland’s accession to the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Monde profiles Poland in the light of the challenges posed by the Community.

On 10 July 1998, on the margins of the negotiations on Poland’s accession to the European Union, some 7 000 Polish farmers demonstrate in the streets of Warsaw to call for protection measures for the country’s agricultural industry.

Bronislaw Geremek, Polish Foreign Minister, grants an interview to the French journal Politique internationale in which he sets out his country’s expectations of the European Union and assesses the political and economic difficulties that need to be overcome if the country is to accede in the medium term.

On 11 February 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro outlines the issues involved in Poland’s negotiations for accession to the European Union, with particular regard to agriculture.

On 29 August 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reports on the disillusionment of the Polish people with regard to the progress in the negotiations for the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 6 December 2000, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, delivers an address to the Polish Parliament in which he recalls the role played previously by Chancellor Willy Brandt in the establishment of closer links between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Poland and argues in favour of Poland’s accession to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the Republic of Poland’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of negotiations.

On 29 November 2001, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Polish Foreign Minister, delivers an address to the Polish Parliament in which he assesses the progress made to date in the country’s negotiations for accession to the European Union.

On 1 February 2002, in Copenhagen, with a view to the imminent conclusion of the accession negotiations, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Polish Foreign Minister, emphasises the importance of European integration for Poland.

On 9 May 2002, in Warsaw, Leszek Miller, Polish Prime Minister, launches the national campaign in support of Poland’s accession to the European Union.

On 11 July 2002, on a visit to Warsaw, Günter Verheugen, Member of the European Commission with special responsibility for Enlargement, meets the Polish Prime Minister, Leszek Miller, to discuss the state of the negotiations on Poland’s accession to the European Union.

On 18 December 2002, Leszek Miller, Polish Prime Minister, delivers an address to the Senate in Warsaw in which he gives a positive account of the negotiations for the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 21 February 2003, in Prague, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Polish Foreign Minister, delivers an address in which he sets out his country’s views on the European Union’s cooperation policy vis-à-vis Eastern Europe.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Poland, Leszek Miller, and his Foreign Minister, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, sign the Treaty of Accession of Poland to the European Union.

On 4 June 2003, as a meeting is held between German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller in Lódz, demonstrators protest against Poland’s accession to the European Union.

On 8 June 2003, in Gdansk, at the referendum on Poland’s accession to the European Union, former Polish President Lech Walesa shows the press his ballot paper on which he has put a cross in the ‘Yes’ box.

On 7 and 8 June 2003, Poland holds a referendum on the country’s accession to the European Union. On 9 June, the day after the vote, the Polish press leads with the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote.

On 1 May 2004, in the City of Lublin, as the European Union is enlarged to include 10 new Member States, those opposed to European integration criticise Poland’s accession to the EU and show their anger around a coffin which bears the inscription: ‘1 May, day of national mourning’.

As Poland accedes to the European Union on 1 May 2004, citizens wave national and European flags in Warsaw to show their enthusiasm for their country’s membership of the European Union.

In 2004, the Polish cartoonist, Andrzej Graniak, depicts concerns surrounding Poland’s accession to the European Union.

‘Starlight in Poland.’ The cartoonist, Fritz Behrendt, illustrates the hope of the Polish people in the light of the country’s forthcoming accession to the European Union.

In 1994, Václav Klaus, Czech Prime Minister, refers to the establishment, the previous year, of the Czech Republic and declares himself to be in favour of his country’s accession to the European Union, while distinguishing between the concepts of Europe and the Community institutions and comparing the various notions of European integration.

On 17 January 1996, Václav Klaus, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, forwards to Susanna Agnelli, Italian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union (EU), a letter in which he officially applies for the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU.

On 23 January 1996, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the Czech Republic’s application for accession to the European Union.

On 15 April 1998, during an official visit to Prague, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs, grants an interview to Radio France Internationale (RFI) in which he refers to some of the aspects of the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union.

On 19 November 1998, Lionel Jospin, French Prime Minister, delivers an address to students at Charles University in Prague in which he emphasises the historic nature of the enlargement of the European Union and the Czech Republic’s strong attachment to Europe.

On 21 February 2000, in an interview given to the French daily newspaper Libération, Milos Zeman, Czech Prime Minister, argues the case for his country’s accession to the European Union.

On 16 May 2000, in an address given in the Czech Parliament, Václav Havel, President of the Czech Republic, emphasises the importance of preparing the country for future accession to the European Union.

On 6 April 2001, during an official visit to Prague, the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, delivers an address on the essential place of the Czech Republic in the European Union.

On 21 May 2001, the Czech economic affairs magazine Prague Business Journal outlines the difficulties involved in the negotiations for accession to the European Union and considers the problem of the free movement of workers.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the Czech Republic’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of negotiations.

On 20 November 2001, the seventh session of the Association Council between the European Union and the Czech Republic is held in Brussels under the chairmanship of Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Belgian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union. Jan Kavan, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, heads the Czech Delegation. At the meeting, the Association Council considers the state of preparedness of the Czech Republic for accession to the European Union and welcomes the progress made by the country in connection with the pre-accession strategy.

On 22 February 2002, Jan Kavan, Czech Foreign Minister, delivers an address at the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels in which he considers the negotiations for his country’s accession to the European Union and gives his views on the future of Europe.

On 30 October 2002, as negotiations are held on the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union, some 3 000 Czech farmers demonstrate in the streets of Prague to call for conditions equal to those enjoyed by other European farmers.

In 2003, in the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, sets out his position on the role of the European Union in the world.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, and his Prime Minister, Vladimír Spidla, sign the Treaty of Accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union.

On 13 and 14 June 2003, following the referendum held in the Czech Republic on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Czech people vote overwhelmingly (74 %) in favour of accession. The turnout in the referendum is 55 %.

In 2003, referring to the negotiations for the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union, the Czech cartoonist, Jírí Kostýr, takes an ironic look at Community policy on the harmonisation of standards.

A la veille de l'adhésion de leur pays à l'Union européenne, de jeunes tchèques manifestent leur enthousiasme en brandissant des drapeaux aux couleurs nationales et européennes durant un concert dans un quartier de la vieille ville de Prague.

On 27 June 1995, Vladimír Meciar, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, submits Slovakia’s official application for accession to the European Union.

On 29 March 1999, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs, grants an interview to the Slovak daily newspaper Pravda in which he comments on the implications of the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).

On 24 July 1999, in an address given at Charles University in Prague, Mikulás Dzurinda, Slovak Prime Minister, reviews his Government’s European policy.

On 25 November 1999, Eduard Kukan, Slovak Foreign Minister, delivers an address at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brussels on the process for Slovakia’s accession to the European Union.

On 15 February 2000, the Slovak Government defines its position on the Slovak Republic’s negotiations for accession to the European Union.

On 20 March 2000, in Bratislava, at the ninth meeting of the EU-Slovak Republic Joint Parliamentary Committee, Dirk Meganck, the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator for the accession of Slovakia, outlines the state of the negotiations for the accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union.

On 4 April 2000, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung outlines the state of the negotiations for the accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union.

On 19 October 2000, at the Economist Conference in Bratislava, Walter Rochel, Head of the European Commission’s Delegation to Slovakia, delivers an address in which he considers the Slovak Republic’s negotiations for accession to the European Union and emphasises the country’s efforts to comply with the accession criteria.

On 21 February 2001, Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement, delivers an address at the Technical University of Košice in which he outlines the implications of the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and considers the progress made by Slovakia so that it is in a position to accede to the EU.

On 10 April 2001, in the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort, Archduke Otto von Habsburg, a former Member of the European Parliament, publishes an article on the history of the Slovak people and emphasises its commitment to Europe.

On 28 May 2001, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro outlines the twin objectives of Slovakia: accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and to the European Union.

On 5 September 2001, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the Slovak Republic’s application for accession to the European Union and on the state of negotiations.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections due to be held on 20 and 21 September 2002 in Slovakia, posters published by the Slovakian party Direction — Social Democracy (Smer) are displayed, as here in Bratislava, calling on voters to remain vigilant regarding the conditions for the country’s accession to the European Union.

In 2002, in the Austrian magazine Europäische Rundschau, Ján Figel, Junior Minister in the Slovak Foreign Ministry and Head of the Delegation for Slovakia’s accession to the European Union, outlines the economic and political efforts being made by Slovakia so that it may accede to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Slovakia, Rudolf Schuster, and his Prime Minister, Mikuláš Dzurinda, sign the Treaty of Accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union.

On 13 May 2003, in the run-up to the referendum due to be held on 16 and 17 May on the Slovak Republic’s accession to the European Union, the leaders of the main Slovak political parties take to the streets of Bratislava to demonstrate in favour of the country’s accession to the EU. From left to right: Dušan Caplovic, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Mikuláš Dzurinda, Prime Minister, Rudolf Schuster, President of the Slovak Republic, Bela Bugar, leader of the Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK), Pavol Hrušovský, leader of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Pavol Rusko, leader of the Alliance of the New Citizen (ANO), and Vladimír Meciar, leader of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia.

On 16 May 2003, the results of the referendum on accession to the European Union held in Slovakia show that the Slovakian people are overwhelmingly (93 %) in favour of acceding as from 1 May 2004. Voter turnout for the referendum is 52 %.

On 10 June 1996, Janez Drnovšek, Slovenian Prime Minister, forwards to Lamberto Dini, Italian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, a letter in which he officially applies for the accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union.

On 31 March 2001, the daily newspaper La Libre Belgique emphasises the efforts made by Slovenia in order to enable it to accede to the European Union.

Le 26 juin 2001, le Conseil d'association UE-Slovénie tient sa troisième session à Luxembourg, sous la présidence d'Anna Lindh, ministre des affaires étrangères de Suède et présidente en exercice du Conseil de l'Union européenne. Dimitrij Rupel, ministre des affaires étrangères de la Slovénie, conduit la délégation slovène. A cette occasion, le Conseil d'association examine l'état de préparation de la Slovénie en vue de son adhésion à l'Union européenne et passe en revue les progrès accomplis par le pays dans le cadre de la stratégie de préadhésion et réfléchit aux priorités pour la suite des travaux à mener.

On 11 July 2001, referring to the planned enlargement of the European Union, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung profiles the Republic of Slovenia.

On 21 December 2001, in Brussels, Janez Potocnik, Head of the Slovenian Delegation for accession to the European Union (EU), welcomes the conclusions of the Laeken European Council and expresses his satisfaction with the progress of the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU.

On 15 April 2002, in Luxembourg, at the fourth meeting of the EU–Slovenia Association Council, Dimitrij Rupel, Slovenian Foreign Minister, outlines the progress made by his country so that it is in a position to accede to the European Union.

On 22 May 2002, referring to the planned enlargement of the European Union (EU), the French daily newspaper Le Monde profiles the Republic of Slovenia and comments on the state of the negotiations for the country’s accession to the EU.

In December 2002, the Slovenian Delegation for the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union summarises the main provisions relating to the financial package granted to the country by the EU.

On 13 December 2002, Dimitrij Rupel, Slovenian Foreign Minister, comments on the conclusion of the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union and emphasises the importance of the European integration process.

On 23 March 2003, following the referendum held in Slovenia on the country’s accession to NATO and the European Union, the Slovenian people vote overwhelmingly (90 %) in favour of accession to the European Union on 1 May 2004. The turnout in the referendum is 55 %.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Slovenia, Janez Drnovšek, and his Prime Minister, Anton Rop, sign the Treaty of Accession of Slovenia to the European Union.