In an article jointly signed by the Financial Times on September 21st, the British and Swedish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Goran Persson reaffirming that, for them, enlargement remains the main priority of the European Union. Below are some notable extracts of their article.

"While the candidate countries intensify their reforms, Member States should, over the coming months, start discussion of the key issues. The aim should be decisive progress in the negotiations (…) the EU should consider setting an early target date for the first accessions".

"The agreement on the new Treaty of Nice does not end the need for further reform and debate on the future on the Union. The longer term prospect of a European Union of 25-30 members poses wider challenges (…) Political reform must be matched by economic reform (…) Europe is increasingly faced with issues that go beyond national borders; trade, economic globalisation, crisis management and the fight against social exclusion, defending the environment and quality of life, combating international crime and drugs, dealing with immigration and asylum (..) It is right to begin to address these issues now (…) an inclusive debate will give any reforms greater legitimacy, and will benefit in particular from the views of the candidate countries (…) and further decisions about the Union's structures should be taken with the full participation of its new members. Jean Monnet's dream was of a Europe of equals. The European Union was founded on this principal, which remains one of the secrets of its success today. Tomorrow's enlarged European Union will belong to all its members, large and small, north and south, east and west (…) Britain and Sweden are committed to working together to strengthen the ideal of an inclusive Europe of equals".