Günter Verheugen

Date: 02/09/1999

VERHEUGEN gave an impressive performance to the Parliament's foreign affairs committee, showing that he had mastered the delicate politics of the enlargement dossier.

In general, he followed the

previous Commission's line, insisting that applicant countries could only join the Union when they met all the necessary criteria. He stressed that some transition periods would be needed, especially for countries with large economic sectors in difficulties like Polish steel making and agriculture, but said delays should be kept as short as possible.