M. Miklos BARABAS, Directeur, European House, Hongrie
Intervention : 'An All-European Benefit: Enlargement of the European Union'

Enlargement and accession to the European Union is one of the important political issues Europe is facing today. Enlargement should not be seen as a process favouring only accession countries but as a mutually beneficial development which will have positive repercussions on EU member states as well. Countries of Central and Eastern Europe can make a valuable and meaningful contribution in tackling those global challenges our continent faces. Public opinion, citizens of member and applicant states can play an important and indispensible role in promoting the idea of enlargement through providing reliable, factual and up-to-date information. To achieve this aim a variety of new programmes and initiatives have to be set up with the involvement of governments, the corporate sector and civil society organisations based on partnership.