The next enlargement of the Union will further strengthen the unity of the European continent and help create an area of lasting peace and prosperity...

Both the existing Member States and the prospective members [Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia] benefit from political stability.

Enlargement is an inclusive process which is not yet completed with the first accessions

Stable democracies have emerged in Central and Eastern Europe...

Causes of conflict, such as minority issues and border problems, are removed. A stable political framework is a precondition for lasting peace and neighbourly co-existence, as well as for a successful economy.

This means an opportunity for the candidate countries to improve their living standards and their prospects in global competition...

An enlarged EU will ensure an open attitude and foster common interests and activities with its neighbours in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean...

The Commission's assessment... carries three important messages:

• The Union's pre-accession strategy has proved a success. The transformation process in the candidate countries has been considerably accelerated by the prospect of enlargement.

• The accession negotiations... can be concluded with most candidates by the end of 2002...

• Enlargement is an inclusive process which is not yet completed with the first accessions. The European Union continues to give its full support to current candidates that will not be in a position to participate in the next wave of enlargement...

Passing the test

The assessment... confirms that, in most cases, candidates generally meet the commitments made in the negotiations...

Some cases where candidates experience problems... [mainly concern] the areas of agriculture, environment and fisheries...

In all countries with considerable Roma communities, progress has been made with the implementation of national action plans to improve the difficult situation the members of these communities are facing...

Further positive developments can be noted with regard to the protection of minorities.

In Estonia and Latvia, continued progress was made in the integration of non-citizens.

Other candidates

Bulgaria and Romania have set 2007 as their indicative date for accession... Progress towards the completion of the accession negotiations will reflect progress in the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the necessary measures [accession criteria] in each country...

Turkey does not fully meet the political criteria... The reforms [it has undertaken] contain a number of significant limitations... on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms...

Important issues... have yet to be adequately addressed [including] the fight against torture and ill-treatment, certain questions concerning civilian control of the military, and the situation of persons imprisoned for expressing non-violent opinions...

With respect to the economic criteria, Turkey has made progress... but is still undergoing the consequences of recession and financial crises...

With respect to the acquis criteria [common legislation]... there remain major differences between [EU]... and Turkish legislation.