European Union president Sweden, shrugging off Ireland's shock rejection of the Nice Treaty, today hailed new progress in negotiations with applicant countries and said enlargement was firmly on track.
Irish voters sparked consternation both in the EU and among the 12 candidates last week when they voted in a referendum to throw out the Nice Treaty which paves the way for enlargement.
But the mood during pre-scheduled enlargement negotiations in Luxembourg today and yesterday was resolutely upbeat and Sweden, which hosts a summit of EU leaders on June 15-16, heaped praise on the candidate countries, especially Hungary.
"Despite the Irish referendum, we see that on the ground negotiations are being carried out very well and with impressive results. We have every reason to be pleased," Swedish Foreign Minister Ms Anna Lindh said.
The EU's top official in charge of enlargement, Commissioner Mr Guenter Verheugen, echoed her optimistic note, which contrasted sharply with the gloom that followed last Thursday's Irish vote.
"We have seen a real breakthrough in negotiations," he said.
I have no doubt we will be able to conclude negotiations with a number of countries before the end of 2002.