Bratislava - The German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, said yesterday that the enlargement of the EU still required reforms that have yet to be carried out.
Speaking during a visit to Bratislava, Mr Fischer said Slovakia was on the right path towards EU membership but declined to say when the EU might welcome new members.
"It is important that the EU wants to first reshape itself, by 2003, so that new candidates can enter," Mr Fischer said. He favoured "a Union of 21 or 22 [countries]", but it must remain able to take collective action, something that was already difficult with 15 members.
Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament, Ms Nicole Fontaine, said yesterday in Warsaw she expected the EU to accept new members by 2004. However, she did not say how many new countries could join by then.
Poland and other front-runners hope to join in 2003, but Brussels officials say 2005 is the earliest realistic expansion date.
