ELDR Party Press Release Brussels, 30 April 2004 ELDR Party Congress adopts new statutes and welcomes EU enlargement The Congress of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party in Brussels today endorsed by acclamation new statutes establishing the Party as an international non-profit association under Belgian law, and heard a statement by ELDR Party President Werner Hoyer MP (FDP/Germany) welcoming the enlargement of the European Union. The Congress closed with keynote speeches by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy MP and Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel. Welcoming the adoption of the new ELDR Party statutes, Werner Hoyer said: "The adoption of our new statutes marks the coming of age of the ELDR Party. We were established as a European political party in 1976, and since that time our values of freedom, democracy and reform have remained consistent and we have grown from strengh to strength. We will continue to campaign to strengthen the liberal, democrat and reform movement throughout Europe, promote agreement among our parties on a common European platform and work closely with our MEPs in the ELDR Group. These new statutes mark the start of a new, more independent phase in our development as from July we will benefit from EU funding under the EU Statute on European Political Parties." On the eve of the biggest enlargement in the history of the European Union, Mr Hoyer added: "On behalf of the ELDR, I would like to welcome the fifth wave of EU enlargement, which will take place on May 1st, 2004, and warmly congratulate the peoples of the ten new countries on this historic occasion." "At the same time let me reiterate that both Bulgaria and Romania form an integral part of EU enlargement. However, I think that each of them should be considered individually, and on the same basis and principles as those applied to the now acceding states. Each should be given the opportunity to conclude accession negotiations as soon as it fulfils the required criteria." "ELDR greatly appreciates and strongly supports the efforts of the Bulgarian government, composed of liberal parties, to continue to carry out successfully the necessary steps to get the country ready for accession to the EU. I am convinced that by following this current reform path, Bulgaria will be ready to sign the Accession Treaty early in 2005 and join the Union in January 2007. " "At the same time, I am concerned about the development of the integration process in Romania. ELDR strongly supports Romania’s accession to the EU but we want to see real progress, especially with regard to fulfilling the political criteria and demonstrating stronger commitment to implement the necessary economic reforms. We call on the current government in Romania to refrain from putting pressure on opposition representatives in local administration, misuse of public funds and attempts to control the media. We also express support for the Romanian Liberals, who are working in opposition and in difficult conditions to push forward the country’s preparations for EU membership." In other decisions taken by the Congress, three new parties were welcomed into the Party's ranks: Cesta Zmeny ("Path for Change") of the Czech Republic, Movimento Repubblicani Europei of Italy and LIBRA of Croatia. For further information and interview requests please contact: Francesco Greco, ELDR Party secretariat: +32 2 284 36 68 Daniel Tanahatoe, ELDR Party secretariat: +32 2 284 32 42 Read more ...

Liberal key stake-holders, like Prime Ministers, current EU top office holders and advisers who have been shaping and who are still steering European Affairs, give a sound overview as to the Liberal Dimension of European Politics and International Relations. They take a critical look back regarding 25 years of the European Liberal Democrats Movement while also highlighting the challenges of tomorrow. Accesible in style, with a guiding agenda of topics and issues this publication is an indispensable tool to all readers interested in European Affairs and International Relations. Should you wish to order the book, please contact the ELDR secretariat: info@eldr.org Price: 15 euros Read more ...