European Unity Celebrations [antikvár]

lO DOWNING STREETLONDON SW1A2AATHE PRIME MINISTERTHE UK PRESIDENCY AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITYThe development of the European Community will be central to the development of Europe. This year a major priority is the completion of the Single Market - the economic foundation of the Community and the source of its attraction to the rest of Europe. My aim is that under the British Presidency the Community should agree all important outstanding measures so that the market can be completed on time.Beacon Europe not only provides a spectacular finale to the UK Presidency but also marks the completion of the Single Market programme. When I light the first British beacon in London, it will form part of a chain to stretch across Europe. Over 1,000 beacons will be lit as part of a genuinely European celebration, symbolising the ever closer links between our countries of which the Single Market is the most practical example.The second priority this year is to prepare the way for enlargement. Already we are strengthening our links with other European countries: the European Economic Area Agreement will extend the Single Market to the seven EFTA countries. Association Agreements - a British idea - have been agreed with Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland.These arrangements are stepping stones to full membership. Three EFTA countries have already applied. Others are considering doing so. I welcome this because I believe that membership should be open to all European democracies which want to join and which can cope with the responsibilities which membership brings.Because Britain will be holding the Presidency, the Community will have a higher profile here. I hope that this will help everyone in Britain to understand and to welcome the benefits which the European Community offers to us and to all Europeans.The future of Europe is based on free trade and competition and on openness to our neighbours. The moves towards democracy in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are more significant for the future of the community than any other development since we joined 20 years ago. By 1995 I hope that Sweden, Austria and Finland will be members. During our Presidency we shall prepare the ground for those enlargement negotiations.I hope the beacons we shall light on New Year's Eve will light the way to a new era of confidence and friendship in Europe.MAY 1992