AFR Danish Prime Minister to address the European Parliament.

05.11.02

On Wednesday 6 November 2002, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen will present his account to the European Parliament in Brussels of the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 2002.

The Prime Minister will take part in the ensuing debate in the Parliament. President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi will also be present.

On the occasion of the meeting, the Prime Minister states:

”I am looking forward to meeting the Members of the European Parliament and debate the proceedings of the Brussels Summit and the tasks ahead of us.

The European Council made a number of important decisions at the Brussels Summit. The decisions mean that the first round of the enlargement negotiations can be completed in Copenhagen in December.

The Danish EU Presidency will do its utmost for this to take place. However, we cannot lift this burden alone. The task requires the support of all our partners: the European Parliament, the EU Commission, the Member States and the candidate countries.

I am looking forward to the continued support of the European Parliament for the enlargement process also during the closing phase.”

* * *

The Prime Minister will present his account from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Prior to this, the Prime Minister will have a brief meeting with President of the European Parliament Pat Cox.

There will be a joint press conference with the Prime Minister and President of the European Parliament Pat Cox at 6:30 PM in the press room in the Spaak Building, the European Parliament, Brussels.

There will, furthermore, be a photo opportunity at the beginning of the Prime Minister's meeting with President of the European Parliament Pat Cox at 3:40 PM at Mr Cox’s office, 11th floor in the Spaak Building.

Contact information Further information: Head of Section Jesper Fersløv Andersen, phone no.: +45 33 92 22 35.