Bernard J. Durkan
Question:164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that European enlargement is proceeding to plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15136/03]
Written Answers. - EU Enlargement.
The Treaty of Accession was signed in Athens on 16 April 2003. Ratification by the member states and the acceding countries is proceeding. All the acceding countries apart from Cyprus are holding referenda on the question of accession. To date, referenda have been held and passed in Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Lithuania and the Slovak Republic. Referenda will be held in Poland on 7-8 June, in the Czech Republic on 13-14 June, in Estonia on 14 September and in Latvia on 20 September. The Government intends that Ireland will ratify the treaty later this year.
The ten acceding countries have been participating on a non-voting basis in most Council and European Parliament meetings since signature of the accession treaty. The Commission is monitoring the acceding countries' progress in the implementation of commitments made in the accession negotiations. The new member states are due to accede to the EU on 1 May 2004, during the Irish Presidency. The objective is for Bulgaria and Romania to accede in 2007, and they hope to conclude negotiations in 2004. If the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria, the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.
Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 141.