The UK: "an enthusiastic champion of enlargement of the EU"
In a letter to The Times, Minister for Europe David Lidington said: "The prospect of enlargement continues to help to embed freedom, security and prosperity across the Continent".
Sir, The Times is to be congratulated for highlighting so vividly the state of the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. Earlier this week I was in Moldova with my German counterpart, Werner Hoyer. We saw how the desire for EU membership continues to drive political and economic reforms. Moldova shows how a government committed to a closer relationship with the EU can make real progress in tackling structural economic and political problems. We and other EU countries are working hard with the Moldovan government to help it to introduce reforms that will bring it nearer the EU. We’re providing practical support for its efforts to tackle problems such as corruption.
The UK has been an enthusiastic champion of enlargement of the EU. The prospect of enlargement continues to help to embed freedom, security and prosperity across the Continent. The challenge now is to provide the same vision and support for Ukraine, Moldova and the other countries of Eastern Europe.