May 1 2004 "Most Likely" Date of EU Enlargement

Brussels, 15 November - The new EU member states are "most likely" to enter the Union on 1 May 2004, confirmed sources close to the Danish presidency of the EU in Brussels on Friday. The final enlargement date will have to be officially decided on by the EU foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday. The final date is imperative for the conclusion of accession negotiations with the ten candidates, because without it an accord on the financial aspects of membership cannot be reached.