Gothenburg summit gives fresh impetus to European Union enlargement

Supporters of greater European integration were given a much-needed boost after Ireland's shock rejection of the Treaty of Nice, when the European Union (EU) summit in Gothenburg gave fresh impetus to EU enlargement. The most positive development was the decision to set the end of 2002 as the target date for concluding negotiations with front-line candidate countries, which means they will be allowed to take part in EU parliamentary elections in 2004. The decision was welcomed with enthusiasm by the 12 candidates. However, the deadline puts pressure on Poland to speed up its negotiations. Currently lagging behind other front-runners such as Hungary, Cyprus and the Czech Republic, Poland has closed only 16 out of a total of 31 negotiating "chapters", and it is possible it may not complete the negotiations in time. Poland opposes the EU's proposed seven-year transition period for the free flow of labor, and is experiencing difficulties in closing the negotiations on land sales to foreigners. Some diplomats say such a tough stance risks excluding Poland from the first wave of enlargement. (Reuters, Gazeta Wyborcza, June 16-17, p. 8) J.K.