Address of PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen on occasion of the first anniversary of EU enlargement

On the 1st of May Europe celebrates the first anniversary of the biggest enlargement the European Union ever embarked on. A year ago ten states finally became full member of the EU. Today, Europe can say that the enlargement has been a great success. Many doubts have been expressed about the prospects of this bold step. Many critics have predicted that it will overstretch Europe’s institutions. One year on these concerns turn out to be unfounded.

The enlargement has been well prepared by the European Union. The new members easily fit into the existing institutions. And they are well prepared to join the European family. Widening the European Union beyond the former iron curtain has turned out to be a totally natural process.

We know now that this wider Europe can work. That is, however, only the start of our efforts to integrate the new member states into the European Union and the European social model. Europe’s socialists and social democrats will have to work hard that this process will not open a race to the bottom. We will take care that economic reforms come with greater social cohesion. We will work hard for a Europe, in which strong economic growth brings jobs and prosperity to all people. Enlargement has to lead to rising social and economic standards in the European Union. That is what the majority of European citizens expect. We should not disappoint them in the coming years.