The second wave of countries applying for EU membership have restated their ambition of joining the Union in 2003.

Date: 26/10/00

Speaking after a negotiating session on terms of entry to the EU this week, senior officials from the six countries which started talks last year said they believed they could join the Union at the same time as the front-runner candidates provided they were given a fair chance. In a separate development, Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen confirmed this week that Poland had made good progress in preparing for EU membership over the last year. Warsaw has been seen as one of the worst performers among the front-runner group. Verheugen also dismissed Ankara's suggestions that Turkey would be able to start negotiations in 2001.