Hr. formand, hr. formand for Rådet, hr. formand for Kommissionen, hr. kommissær Verheugen, kære kolleger, jeg bliver også nødt til at sige noget, for jeg har sjældent oplevet et rådsformandskab, der har arbejdet så koncentreret med de centrale punkter og har realiseret dem med så stor succes.
Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Mr President of the Commission, Commissioner Verheugen, ladies and gentlemen, I think I too must seize this opportunity to get something off my chest, as rarely have I experienced a Council Presidency that has concentrated so intently on the core issues and had such success in making them a reality.