Brussels, 27/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - In an article published in the Tuesday edition of the Le Monde newspaper, the Enlargement Commissioner, Günter Verheugen, asserts that the European building process would be an 'incomplete work' without the arrival in its midst of countries from Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus and Malta. However, enlargement must not be reduced to a 'moral obligation,' as for the current EU member states, this is really a unique opportunity which, if it is not seized, will not reappear for a long time. Thus the enlarged EU will ensure, between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, an area of peace, political stability and democracy, an economically dynamic region, open to companies and their products, underlines the Commissioner. All over there will be respect for the same rules of play, the same social standards, the same environmental constraints and the same rules of competition. Thus we talk of strategic importance for our security and our competitiveness. Mr Verheugen nevertheless underlined that he is fully aware of the fear that this enlargement causes despite everything, due to its size. Of course it is impossible to provide guaranties, but nothing proves that the concerns have a basis. Accordingly, with regards to, for example, industrial delocalisation, it is correct that, since the beginning of the 1990s and the liberalisation of trade with these countries, the economic dynamism of the future members attracts our companies. Though, above all, they seek to invest in order to capture emerging markets rather than move their production. What about organised crime and corruption? Let us ask the question: would our security be better ensured if these countries are left on the sidelines or if they are led, as members, to respect the EU's commitments in terms of police and judicial cooperation? Of course I lean towards the second hypothesis, stated Mr Verheugen. As for the costs of enlargement, he explained that by 2006, the transfer from the European budget to the new member states would cost the EU 15 only EUR 10 billion over three years, or a little more than 3 billion per year, or 3% of EU spending in 2003.