Praise for Polish progress in European Commission report on candidates

The European Commission (EC) presented yesterday in Brussels reports on European Union (EU) candidates' progress. While no date was given for the first round of EU expansion, according to the document candidates fulfilling all criteria will be accepted as members begining in late 2002. The report's lack of serious complaints about Poland's preparations for negotiations and appreciation of its efforts to accelerate adoption of Polish law to European regulations does not yet guarantee admission in the year 2003. The whole process of EU expansion can be delayed by the procedure of ratification of new member admission treaties by Parliaments of all current country members. Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, in a comment about the EC document, said that the government is pleased that Poland has strengthened its position as a leading candidate, but emphasized it is not fully satisfied with the dates mentioned. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.19)