Joint Declaration of Mart Laar and Viktor Orbán on the enlargement of the European Union

Dátum: 2002-11-18 14:39:00, eredeti URL: http://archiv.fidesz.hu/index.php?Cikk=5888
KCMDB-be feltöltve: 2024-05-04 17:54:47.654318, Feltöltő: fidesz_hu_scraper_v2

Hungary and Estonia have reached the final, decisive phase of negotiations with the European Union. It is important that accession to the European Union mean a rise in living standards and a betterment of living conditions for our countries, as well as a stronger international position for all of Europe.

Successful enlargement implies several preconditions, that relate to our budgetary positions, the unclear safeguard mechanism, the level of agricultural subventions and the strengthening of the competitiveness of our countries. Yet, one key precondition of the successful accession of our countries is the successful representation of our national interests.

Our citizens are aware of the fact that accession to the European Union does not imply automatically a rise in living standards. It is therefore necessary that the governments, prior to accession, take measures enabling our peoples to be winners of integration.

At the same time, it must be understood that the enlargement of the European Union is not a goal in itself, neither the end of history. We urge our governments to work out our countries' position regarding the future of Europe. We commit to provide all the necessary help in this work.

We firmly believe that it is the goal of all the European nations to accomplish an enlargement which will bring renewal and new strength to the continent and to all its citizens. Our parliaments should be involved to the highest degree in this process. We believe in a Europe of values, nations and communities.

Budapest, 16 November 2002