Moderate and justified optimism. In my first editorial of the New Year, I will continue with my vein of moderate and, I hope, justified optimism. Despite the rather gloomy atmosphere surrounding Community affairs in the new year, I continue to believe that 2004 could and should be a turning point in the construction of a united Europe. It is the year when eight Central and Eastern European countries will join the EU as a sign of genuine reunification of the continent and it will be the year...