Press Release: Commemoration – 10 Years after the fith EU enlargement in 2004

On 13 May 2014, the Council of the European Union commemorated the tenth anniversary of the accession to the European Union in May 2004 of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia: the single largest enlargement in the history of the Union.

The accession of these ten states, part of Europe's shared history, heritage and culture, marked the historic beginning of a new era throughout Europe, during which the Union has expanded from 15 Member States to the present 28. This process has allowed the Union to better realise its objective to build One Europe, underpinned by the ideals of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, the full respect of human rights and the free market economy.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: 10th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement – strategic benefits, impact and the current enlargement agenda http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-10th-anniversary-of-the-2004-enlargement-strategic-benefits-impact-and-the-current-enlargement-agenda/

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