Brussels, 03/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a press release on 1st January 2006, European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, spoke of the accession of Greece (1st January 1981) and Spain and Portugal (1st January 1986) and stressed the positive impact of entry into the European Union on democracy, stability and socio-economic reform in these three countries. “25 years ago, Greece became a member of what was then the European Communities. 20 years ago, Spain and Portugal joined in, too. Today, we can proudly say that Greece, Spain and Portugal as well as Europe as a whole have all become much stronger as a result of the second and third enlargements. The perspective of membership did much to consolidate democracy and encourage reform in these countries. Membership led to unprecedented development, the result of which was greater stability and greater competitiveness”, said Mr Barroso. However, the EU as a whole has benefited from these accessions, stated Mr Barroso. “The accession of these countries made Europe bigger and stronger. It consolidated Europe's Mediterranean and Atlantic dimensions, and opened up new vistas in Africa and Latin America. The example of Greece, Spain and Portugal provides good evidence that enlargement is beneficial to the existing as well as the acceding countries. One expression of this experience is the unstinting support Greece, Spain and Portugal have given to all enlargements which have followed - particularly the last one, towards Central and Eastern Europe.” Today, like the rest of Europe, Greece, Spain and Portugal face new challenges and must constantly adapt and reform to be fit for the 21st century and reap the full benefits of globalisation, but “if they continue to progress over the next years as they have over the last decades, then they - and Europe as a whole - can look forward to a very bright future indeed”, concluded Mr Barroso.
European Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes said on Dutch television that, in her opinion, EU enlargement should stop with Romania and Bulgaria. In comments picked up on Tuesday by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the Dutch Commissioner stated, “I think that, at 27, we should say, that's enough”.