Celebrating enlargement: together we are stronger

Commenting on the tenth anniversary of the major enlargement of the European Union, the President of the European People's Party (EPP) and Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, stated:

"Ten years ago, the people of Europe were finally reunited; the historic enlargement of 2004 sealed the reunification of our continent. The walls that history put between us were brought down and we are now a proud Union of twenty-eight different countries, with different cultures and different traditions but sharing the same values of freedom and respect for human dignity. On this anniversary, I want to congratulate the people of each of the ten countries that made tremendous efforts to change before their accession and who continue to work hard towards greater European integration. Together we have opened a new chapter in our joint history. We are writing it together, facing the challenges - such as the economic crisis and problems in our neighbourhood - together.

We must not forget that those who are aspiring to take the European path do so because they see us as a guardian of peace, freedom and a better future Joseph Daul

Enlargement has been one of our most successful political strategies. With 28 Member States in our Union we now need even more Europe so that our continent can continue to influence the world in a positive way. The EPP has always championed erasing the divisions in our continent. I am very proud and honoured that, in the EPP Group, we have MEPs who, under communist regimes, fought tirelessly to bring freedom to their countries and later to bring their countries into the EU. They are the people we believe in, they are our heroes.

Enlargement has been one of our most successful political strategies

'Old' Member States, and the no-longer 'new' ones, must always remember that this struggle for freedom brought us all peace. And the EU will continue to protect that peace, a peace which is not negotiable. Today we must not forget that those who are aspiring to take the European path do so because they see us as a guardian of peace, freedom and a better future. And in these troubled times we must not forget our neighbours - our solidarity must go to the Ukrainian and Moldovan people that are struggling for the sovereignty of their country."