Some transitional provisions are likely to be necessary for new member states after joining the European Union. Without such provisions the expansion of the European Union may need to be postponed for many years, which is clearly undesirable. Moreover, in the past such provisions have also been applied to new entrants, including Spain, Portugal and Greece. It is essential to strike a proper balance.
Allow me once again to thank you all, because it is owing to your work that we are here today.