Lib Dem MEP welcomes the new boys on the block

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 1st May 2004

EU enlargement has arrived today, Graham Watson, the South West Liberal Democrat MEP welcomes ten new members; Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus to the EU family.

Graham Watson said:

"Enlargement is the healing of a wound that has disfigured the continent of Europe for half a century. It is the final act of the revolutions of 1989. But it is also an expression of our hope in a shared European future; in the building of an unequalled peace and an unprecedented prosperity."

"Perhaps the most important legacy of this European Parliament will be the part it played in securing this new Europe. The ELDR was the only group to vote unanimously for European enlargement. We worked for it, and we are profoundly committed to making it a success."