The timetable for EU enlargement will go on as foreseen, Chief EU negotiator with Cyprus Leopold Maurer stressed today, adding that the Laaken and Seville EU Councils have made it clear that the candidate countries will accede to the EU in early 2004.
As the CNA reports, the Austrian EU official is on the island with his team to discuss the final stages of the accession negotiations with Cyprus' accession team under Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou.
Maurer told reporters that when Austria, Sweden and Finland were at the same pre-accession stage as Cyprus and the other candidate countries, rumours were going round that enlargement might be delayed.
He added "you have to look at what the member states said two times, in Laaken and Seville, that the new members, probably ten, should accede at the beginning or during 2004 so that they can take part to the European Parliament elections in 2004".
As the CNA reports, the Austrian EU official is on the island with his team to discuss the final stages of the accession negotiations with Cyprus' accession team under Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou.
Maurer told reporters that when Austria, Sweden and Finland were at the same pre-accession stage as Cyprus and the other candidate countries, rumours were going round that enlargement might be delayed.
He added "you have to look at what the member states said two times, in Laaken and Seville, that the new members, probably ten, should accede at the beginning or during 2004 so that they can take part to the European Parliament elections in 2004".
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