Brussels, 19/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council took stock on Monday of the situation of progress being made in the accession negotiations on the basis of a note from the French Presidency and an oral report from Commissioner Verheugen. Along the lines of the Conclusions of the European Councils of Helsinki and Feira, it reaffirmed after a debate presented as "quite full" by the French Presidency, the priority it attaches to the enlargement process and its determination to maintain the rate of negotiations under way. It felt that progress made to date was considerable and gave proof of determination.
Speaking at the final press conference, French Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine stressed that the Fifteen had "avoided a theoretical debate on the date". The only date so far, he recalled in substance, is that of "January 2003 when the Union must be willing to take in new members". Which, he added, implies successful institutional reform in the IGC and the success of "each accession negotiation", with the outlook being good for the first. The Council, concluded Mr Védrine, will continue to regularly take stock of the twelve membership negotiations under way. EUROPE recalls that, early November, the progress reports from the European Commission will be available.