European press review

European press review

The European Union summit in Athens today, when Europe's leaders will formally approve the historic enlargement of the union, is considered by newspapers across the continent. Elsewhere, French prison policy comes in for criticism.

Getting larger

In an article in Germany's Die Welt, three European leaders write that today's signing of the EU enlargement treaties in Athens marks the end of Europe's east-west divide.

We want to make Europe's voice more effective for everybody's good

Statement in Die Welt

"European integration is a success story," write German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson and Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy.

According to the three leaders, the "new and larger Union" will find a place in the world as "a Europe of peace, of solidarity and of democracy".

They explain that by developing common policies in the fields of justice and home affairs, they want to create "an integrated European area of freedom, security and law".

The three heads of government add that Europe also has a duty to help overcome crises and poverty abroad.

"This is why we want to make Europe's voice in the world more audible and more effective, for everybody's good," they write.

In an article in France's Le Monde, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis says the signing of the enlargement treaties makes 16 April 2003 a "historic day for Europe".

"This is the biggest enlargement in the history of the European Union, which realizes the dream of a generation and reunifies Europe 13 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall," he writes.

"I warmly and solemnly welcome the new members into our European family," he adds.

Split union?

Denmark's Information welcomes the EU's enlargement, which will be approved in "the cradle of democracy", describing it as "an enlargement which definitively puts the division of Europe behind it and which is in itself one of the most joyful events in our continent's bloody history."

However, the paper says "the atmosphere is far from as cheerful as it was at the end of the Danish EU presidency" last December.

"The Iraq war and the distressing split in the EU which it caused casts a sorry shadow over the ceremony, which otherwise marks radically changed cooperation in the EU."

As to how the new Europe will distinguish itself from the old one, the paper says cooperation will "inevitably be more flexible".

"The number of member countries alone greatly increases the possible alliances, which benefits a small country like Denmark which has a good negotiating tradition and excellent historical relations with the Eastern and Central European countries - especially the Baltic states, whose case both the former and current governments have put unhesitatingly."

Scandinavian outsiders

Noting Hungary's 'yes' to EU membership and the Maltese election which confirmed the country's positive referendum vote, Sweden's Svenska Dagbladet says EU enlargement is going according to plan and looks forward to the referendums to be held in another six Eastern and Central European countries.

The EU aims to reach agreement quickly with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Aftenposten

"The result is not a foregone conclusion in all the countries, but the trend in the former Eastern Bloc countries is to see membership of the EU, Nato and, as time goes on, EMU as confirmation of the western affiliation which they were denied during a half century of "true socialism".

"Soon only Sweden will remain outside the community of Nato and the EMU."

Norway's Aftenposten says it is a positive sign for the country that the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen, is optimistic that the EU can reach a new European Economic Area agreement with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein after Polish objections prevented a deal being struck before Easter.

"The EU aims to reach agreement quickly with the three countries... This would mean that the EEA can be enlarged at the same time as the EU, from 1 May 2004, and will then cover 28 countries - 25 EU countries and three EEA members.

"The postponement means that members of the Norwegian government will not be present in Athens when 25 old and new EU countries mark a historic change in Europe this week. This is regrettable. But it is much more regrettable that the Norwegian government shows total passivity on EU issues on its home ground - with a level of interest which seems to fall in line with Norwegians' growing sympathy for the EU."

French prison policy in the dock

France's Liberation criticizes the government's prison policy after three inmates staged a helicopter escape from a jail in southern France.

In an editorial entitled "Nightmare", the paper says the real problem is not that people can escape from prisons but that they are often put there needlessly.

"Does the current practice of fast-track procedures enable a calm and detailed assessment of each case? It may be doubted," the paper says.

It also urges the provision of "decent conditions" for those who are imprisoned while awaiting trial.

"We know that today this is not the case," it says.

The European press review is compiled by BBC Monitoring from internet editions of the main European newspapers and some early printed editions.