Today's Date:

For the central European countries, the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 contained the promise of a new future, where democracy would allow the advent of new freedoms. Today, with ten new States' accession to the EU in May 2004, this promise has been kept. So democracy here is doubly European, being both Europe's building block and its very essence.

Admittedly, the enlargement process ending on 1 January next year with the entry of Romania and Bulgaria – the fifth since the beginning of the European adventure – has been unprecedented in scale. Going from 15 to 27, the EU will have almost doubled the number of its member States between 2004 and 2007. But this enlargement is clearly consistent with pursuit of the EU's historic project to entrench peace, democracy and prosperity on the continent.

The enlargement has thus allowed the rapid implementation of democratic reforms in Eastern Europe. The 15-member Europe has also gained indisputable benefits: over the past ten years, our businesses have directly benefited from the new member States' very strong growth; our exports to these countries have quadrupled and created tens of thousands of jobs in France. But, above all, beyond these practical justifications, Europe's reunification takes us a bit further towards a political ideal, since it contains a promise of peace between its component nations which had so long waged war against each other.

Wholly synonymous with economic prosperity, political stability and progress, the enlargement is a success for the entire continent, in conformity with both our interests and the objectives of the European enterprise.

Europe is making headway, but there is also a concurrent growth of uncertainty – and this is normal – vis-à-vis its borders, identity and policies. The fear of a never-ending extension of the EU has reawakened concern about a dilution of national identities, especially at a time in our societies' history when there is a stronger need for roots.

So it is necessary for the debate set in train on Europe's identity, limits, action and tools to go on and develop between our countries. Since it is important to agree on the goal of the now continent-wide EU.

We have to strengthen the political control of the accession process and, with our partners, pursue the debate, initiated last June at France's instigation, on the EU's absorptive capacity, i.e. its ability to take in new members. In this respect, the pace of enlargement is key.

This has to involve strengthening the common policies and a discussion on financing them, before any new enlargement, since it is true that Europe cannot be run with 25 or 27 members as it was with 15. The enlargement also demands pursuit of the institutional reform, since we shall not be able to go on enlarging before we have remodelled our institutions. We shall, in particular, have to improve the efficiency and legitimacy of the decision-making mechanism, and also agree together on our identity as Europeans: what does it mean to be "European"? We must also stimulate our fellow citizens' desire for Europe through concrete projects on matters of concern to ordinary people, in the areas of growth, particularly employment, and security, since Europe has to be what helps, supports and protects us, and not seen as what constrains us.

Europe is today in a position to invent a new globalization model by reconciling the economic and social dimensions, by making its own voice heard on the major issues affecting the planet's future. But it must continue bolstering its identity, means and capacity for collective action. It is in this framework that the enlargement debate must also take place and how Europe will find the way to act in line with what must be its new raison d'être: to become a power in the globalized economy./.