In a debate on Europe's future it was concluded that enlargement should continue, notably to Central European states, said at the "Sound of Europe" conference to be the heart of Europe.
More than 15 years ago the states of Central and East Europe were not free and today we have to be satisfied with the gradual progress those states are making, said European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
He underlined that European Union enlargement and liberalisation of the economy would support economic development.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin advocated a European future for states in the Balkans, which he said France encouraged but added that each state must adopt and implement European standards and criteria.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer also advocated EU enlargement, saying he was for the European unification of what belonged together.