Berlin, 7 November 1996 (RFE/RL) - German President Roman Herzog and Czech President Vaclav Havel today opened a congress on Central Europe in Berlin with a call for the expansion of the European Union eastward.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Herzog said the West must accept the decision of Eastern and Central European countries to become a part of a unified Europe.
Havel said Central and Eastern European countries are not seeking EU membership only for economic reasons. He said they want to become a part of a unified Europe because they respect values like democracy, individual freedoms, the rule of law, citizens' rights and a market economy.
Also today, the Czech ambassador to Bonn, Jiri Grusa, said he expects an agreement could be reached this year on a long-delayed joint declaration with Germany.
The declaration is to reconcile differences between the two countries which have remained unresolved since the end of World War II.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Herzog said the West must accept the decision of Eastern and Central European countries to become a part of a unified Europe.
Havel said Central and Eastern European countries are not seeking EU membership only for economic reasons. He said they want to become a part of a unified Europe because they respect values like democracy, individual freedoms, the rule of law, citizens' rights and a market economy.
Also today, the Czech ambassador to Bonn, Jiri Grusa, said he expects an agreement could be reached this year on a long-delayed joint declaration with Germany.
The declaration is to reconcile differences between the two countries which have remained unresolved since the end of World War II.