The speech which Mr. Romano Prodi, then President designate of the European Commission, delivered to the European Parliament on 14 September, was an important indication of his thinking on the future development of the European Union. Of particular interest were his comments on EU enlargement and its effects on relations with neighbouring countries, as well as on the reform of EU institutions.
I would agree with the new President of the Commission when he says that enlarging the European Union is a tremendous challenge. Ireland has at all times taken a very positive position towards enlargement which we feel is one of the great challenges facing the European Union. The criteria by which countries are judged suitable for membership of the European Union were agreed in Copenhagen and it is my firm belief that countries which can fully subscribe to these criteria should be eligible for membership of the Union.
At present the European Union is engaged in negotiations with Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia and Cyprus and decisions will be made later this year in Helsinki regarding the group of countries currently known as the "pre-ins". These are Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta.
I also agree with Commission President Prodi that enlargement will happen in stages and that we will need a strategy to meet the specific needs of those countries which face a longer wait for membership. I look forward to the new Commission's proposals in this area.
Our decisions later this year in Helsinki will be guided by the Commission's regular reports on the countries under review. We expect that these reports should be available in mid-October.
President Prodi, in his speech to the European Parliament refers to the need for a clear and comprehensive approach towards our new neighbours whose contribution to the peace and stability of the wider Europe is vital.
Through the partnership and co-operation agreements and Common Strategies the European Union is both developing and enhancing its relation with Russia and the Ukraine. At the same time the Union is, through new agreements, building firm foundations with the newly independent states. Once again let me say that I look forward to further proposals from the new Commission in these areas.