President of the Republic today had a meeting with Gunther Verheugen, European Commissioner responsible for the EU enlargement. On the meeting, the progress of the EU enlargement process, the internal developments of the EU, the co-operation between the Baltic States and the situation in Russia were discussed.

President Meri expressed his hope that the enlargement process would proceed from the readiness of each individual applicant country, which the Enlargement Commissioner also confirmed. Verheugen also refuted the speculation that has lately been suggested by the media, namely that the member states have lost interest in the EU enlargement.

The President spoke to Verheugen about the discussions that had been held yesterday, on the meeting of the Baltic Presidents, and invited the European Union to support the linking of the Baltic infrastructures to those of the EU both in the field of energy and transport, especially rail transport.

The EC Commissioner responsible for enlargement was accompanied by Arhi Palosuo, representative of the European Commission in Estonia, and Nikiforos Sivenas, Head of the Estonian Task Force for enlargement.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 31, 2000

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