What progress he has made towards achieving enlargement of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [31816]

Our preparations for enlargement are on schedule. In two days, we will inaugurate the European conference. We will launch the accession process in Brussels on 30 March, and accession negotiations with six candidates will begin the next day.

I welcome the Government's initiative in holding the conference between EU member states and applicants this Thursday. Can my hon. Friend assure me that enlargement will remain a top priority throughout the United Kingdom's presidency, and in years to come? Does he agree that we have learnt something that the Tories have never learnt—that it is not possible to be serious and positive about enlargement while being negative about the European Union?

That is a good point. The difference between our approach to enlargement and that of the previous Government is that we believe that enlargement is important for the security of Europe and for its economic prospects. We do not favour it simply as an alternative to the deepening of the European Union.