One year on, hope should replace fear

Date: 28/04/05

A good day for Europe. Those were the words I used to describe 1 May 2004 when, with the enlargement of the European Union, European history and European geography, 60 years after the end of the war, were finally reconciled. Enlargement is proof that the attraction of the European project is still very much alive. It was one more vindication of the ideals harboured by the founding fathers of European integration.

There was nevertheless a lot of scepticism and even fear a year ago. This was true on both sides, within the EU15 but also in the new member states. Twelve months later, slowly but surely, even the biggest doubters have to accept that far from a threat, enlargement represents for both sides an opportunity. Some of the most sceptical back then even count among the most enthusiastic today.

It is gratifying to witness how many of the questions asked received a positive answer, how many apprehensions have been overcome.

A year is obviously too short a time to pass final judgement on the success of the enlarged Union. But already today we can observe similar effects in the new member states to those we saw back in the 1980s, after previous enlargements. Bar one, all new member states will grow faster in 2005 and 2006 than the EU25 average, continuing the trend. The new members have become one of the main growth engines of the European economy. Like the citizens of other new member states before them, those in central Europe and the Mediterranean recognise enlargement first and foremost as a reason for hope, as an opportunity to help build tomorrow in their homeland rather than to be left looking with envy at those who have succeeded on the same road before.

In the 15 old member states, many doubts were directed towards enlargement. Some have been answered, others persist. Even though it is highly regrettable and most of the time overly simplistic, one cannot deny that, especially in economic debates, the interests of the new members are often portrayed as rivalling those of the old members.

Yes, enlargement has in some areas accelerated structural changes. But it would be erroneous to blame enlargement for the existence of structural change, as would be the belief that such change could be avoided. Enlargement is just an additional proof of what we also knew before: reforms are necessary and unavoidable. This is, by the way, not only true for the EU15. The challenges faced by the new member states are in the end very similar.

As acting president of the European Council, of course I cannot ignore the changes enlargement brought to the EU institutions. New sensibilities are voiced in the Council, new viewpoints are brought into the debate, new geographical but also historical perspectives are added to it. There can be no doubt that the search for compromise turns out to be more demanding but also that the debates have grown more enriching.

At the same time, I cannot help being prone to a certain nostalgia when old and cherished habits are being lost. When I first participated in a Council meeting, in 1982, we were ten. In one day, it was possible to have a comprehensive exchange on all major topics on the agenda. Today, such open debates are impracticable.

The EU will not be able to avoid exploring new methods of work in order to find different ways to sound each other out as well as to find agreement. The traditional tournée des capitales by which presidencies used to prepare for European Councils is no longer feasible.

Overall, looking back on the last twelve months, I would say that it started off with a celebration, made us live through some difficult days and some long nights but also gave us pride at having succeeded in finally replacing the divisions of Yalta by the union of Europe. It might not always have been effortless, but it definitely made for exciting times.

1 May 2004 was indeed a good day for Europe. I am convinced that for all Europeans, both in the new and the old member states, there are many more good days to come.

• Jean-Claude Juncker is prime minister of Luxembourg. He is acting president of the European Council and president of the Eurogroup.

Author, who is the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and acting President of the European Council, takes a look at current challenges the European Union and its institutions are facing one year after the enlargement of 1 May 2004.