Brussels, 28/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen considers that, if Poland hopes to join the EU by 1 January 2003 (the target given by the Warsaw government), then it must speed up its preparatory work. "Poland has set 2003 as a target date for accession. This is an ambitious objective. I welcome such ambition and I fully support the government's policy to increase the pressure on all those involved in the necessary preparatory work. To make it a success, Poland needs to speed up its preparation effort and in particular to accelerate adoption and implementation of the acquis communautaire", said Mr Verheugen at the end of last week after meeting President Kawasniewski, Prime Minsiter Buzek, Foreign Minister Geremek and other members of the government, in Warsaw.
The Commissioner insisted on the need to create the necessary administrative structures to ensure full application of the acquis communautaire. As far as macro-economic reforms are concerned, Mr Verheugen affirmed he was able to "understand the concerns of the people who suffer the immediate consequences of the economic reforms". "But I am deeply convinced that these efforts will pay off for Poland and its citizens", he said. "With or without the EU, the reforms are, in any case, an absolute necessity for Poland", insisted the Commissioner.