ENLARGEMENT of the EU into Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean is an opportunity to be seized, Green Party MEP Jean Lambert said as ten new member states prepared to join the union tomorrow.
Jean Lambert, who represents London, welcomed the accession of the ten new members, but warned the UK and existing member states must embrace the new states as equals.
"Tomorrow marks the first time when the majority of European nations will be able to relate, economically and politically, on an equal footing. With places at the table, the new EU members have equal decision-making power and are no longer the EU's poor relations.
"Enlargement presents an historic opportunity to raise economic and social conditions in the accession countries without sacrificing their biodiversity or environmental standards. We must ensure it is about raising standards across the enlarged EU, not simply cutting costs for businesses in existing members."
ENDS
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