On 16 April 2003, in Athens, representatives from the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia sign the Treaty concerning the accession of these countries to the European Union.

Le 16 avril 2003, le Conseil européen informel d'Athènes adopte une Déclaration dans laquelle les Quinze saluent le cinquième élargissement de l'Union européenne comme un événement historique et rappellent les missions de l'Union.

On 16 April 2003, at the Informal European Council in Athens, the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, refers to the historic scope of the Treaty of Accession of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, following the vote in the European Parliament to approve a resolution in favour of the enlargement of the European Union, Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, emphasises to the Informal European Council in Athens the importance of the Community method in tackling the economic and political challenges of this enlargement.

On 16 April 2003, at the Athens Summit, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, emphasises the historic importance of the new enlargement of the European Union.

Group photo taken at the signing ceremony of the Treaty of Accession of the ten new Member States to the European Union held on 16 April 2003 in Athens.

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.