Brussels, 21/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the six applicant countries of the Helsinki Group (those who began accession negotiations last February) had new ministerial negotiating sessions on Wednesday, as expected. The results of the two "deputy-level" meetings were confirmed, improved even in the case of Latvia and Slovakia. Assessment for the six countries concerned is now as follows:
Speaking before the press, Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs (who chaired the negotiation meetings on Tuesday), recalled that, during the debate on Monday at the General Affairs Council, the Fifteen unanimously congratulated themselves on the "quality" of the Commission reports on candidate countries. Regarding the strategy proposed by the Commission, and mainly the affirmation whereby the negotiations could be concluded in 2002 with the first of the candidates if the scenario ("road map") proposed were followed, the reactions of Member States were more reticent. "The president noted that delegations were keen on the Helsinki timetable, that is, the date of 1 January 2003 for being able to welcome new Member States", stipulate the Council's conclusions on Monday, but without making explicit reference to a possible end to negotiations in 2002. The Fifteen, moreover, recalled the "importance granted to the principle of differentiation, which remains the central principle guiding negotiations" and insisted on the "indicative" nature of the road map proposed by the Commission for bringing the last stage of negotiations to a successful conclusions. This road map will be adjusted to the "developments in the situation and to progress accomplished". Mr Moscovici confirmed that the only date to appear in the Nice conclusions will be that of 1 January 2003, as the date from when the EU will be willing to take in new members.