Washington, 06/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - Gunter Verheugen, European Commissioner responsible for negotiations with candidate countries for accession, is presently in the United States on an "information mission." He is informing the American authorities (he notably met Mr. Ben Gilman, President of the international relations committee of the Chamber of Representatives) and public opinion of the EU enlargement process.
Mr. Verheugen outlined the new strategy adopted last December by the European Council (with the opening of negotiations with all candidate countries), the statute of candidate country granted to Turkey, the pre-accession aid decided, the conditions set for new accessions and also the institutional reforms that the EU is preparing to make enlargement possible, the political objectives being the strengthening of peace and stability in the European Continent.