The EU must remain open to all countries which meet the membership criteria and must have the capacity to absorb new members. We have common values, but we are not trying to create a uniform culture. Quite the contrary, the numerous cultures represent Europe's wealth and strength, said Halonen, whose country is chairing the EU.
The Finnish president went on to say that the prospect of EU membership was a strong motive for reforms.
The developments in Central Europe, Turkey, Croatia and the Western Balkans show the influence of the membership prospect on reforms, Halonen said, confirming that EU leaders would discuss the continuation of EU enlargement at a summit to take place in Brussels in December.