SLOVAKIA reached a definitive agreement on all bilateral issues during its final round of European Union (EU) accession talks in Brussels December 9, according to Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan.
However, the minister noted that negotiations would not close for good until the EU summit in Copenhagen December 12 and 13, when financial conditions common for all candidates were to be specified.
"I wouldn't play around with these deadlines. The final decision will not be taken until in Copenhagen; but I can say that Slovakia has no more dramatic issues to tackle," said Kukan.
Negotiations were continuing in Copenhagen as The Slovak Spectator went to press.
Ahead of the landmark summit, Slovakia called for equal treatment of all candidates.
"If in the [run-up to the summit] there is any change to our candidate counterparts' negotiating positions, Slovakia will want to debate it regarding its position," Kukan said.
Kukan described the EU membership terms obtained by Slovakia as a good result.
Slovakia is one of 10 countries scheduled to join the 15-member union in May 2004.
16. Dec 2002 at 0:00 | From press reports of TASR and SITA
