This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Accession Day
01/05/2004
The European Union welcomes ten new member states
today.
Accession Day marks entry into the EU by Latvia,
Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Poland,
Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta.
Jack McConnell said that reuniting Europe by continuing
to break down historic barriers would bring peace and
prosperity to the continent.
The First Minister said:
"The twentieth century was marked by two great conflicts
which divided Europe.
"The new Europe that we all wake up in today is a clear
sign that our continent in the twenty-first century has
learned the lessons of the past. We have learned that we
are stronger together and weaker apart. We have learned
that by co-operating on areas, like terrorism and crime,
that affect us all, we can bring peace and prosperity to
all of our people."
He continued:
"This is a period of momentous change but also of great
opportunity. Now is the time to show that the European
Union is so much more than a trading block or an
affiliation of nations - that it is a union of millions of
people living together, working together and achieving
together.
"Today we give the warmest of welcomes to our new
friends. Today we say loud and clear that Scotland is proud
to be a part of the new Europe."
Finance Minister Andy Kerr will attend Accession Day
celebrations in Edinburgh today, hosted by City of
Edinburgh Council, where he will kick start a six-month
programme of events to help new countries celebrate joining
the EU. He will attend an open-air party in Princes St
gardens which will feature a number of acts from new member
states. He said:
"It is vital that our young people are encouraged to
learn more about our new European neighbours, the stability
and peace that the EU has created and the opportunities
that an enlarged Europe offers Scotland. That is why I am
delighted to be taking part in the festivities in Edinburgh
tomorrow with my family who will be joining in the
celebrations."
"The addition of 10 new member states to the EU's
existing 15 means that the EU will be largest single market
in the world. This is of tremendous significance for our
business community across Scotland.
"New trade opportunities, new jobs, new labour forces
and new markets are all on offer and this is why the
Scottish Executive, together with our economic partners, is
working hard to ensure that opportunities are seized in
Scotland, that businesses are aware of the opportunities
and have the means to access them."
"EU enlargement will have major economic, cultural and
social advantages across Scotland and will have benefits
for us all. It is good for Scotland and good for
Europe."
The First Minister will be speaking an event reception
to mark EU Enlargement organised by the European Parliament
and Commission Offices in Edinburgh, and the Irish Consul
General (Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of
Ministers until June 30 2004).