European Council of Luxembourg, 12-13/12/1997

The European Council of Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997 marks a historic milestone for the future of the Union and the whole of Europe. The launch of the enlargement process heralds a new era, definitively putting an end to the divisions of the past. The continental-scale expansion of the European integration model guarantees stability and prosperity for the future. Along with the initiation of the enlargement process, the European Council began a comprehensive reflection on the development of the Union and its policies in order to seek responses commensurate with the challenges that emerge beyond the year 2000. In this way, the Union will be able to enter the next century and face enlargement based on a clear and coherent vision.
The European Council adopted a resolution on the coordination of economic policies ensuring the completion of preparatory work for the third phase of Economic and Monetary Union. Moreover, it noted with satisfaction that the regulatory mechanism for Union action in favor of employment has now been created.
A meeting was also held with the Heads of State or Government and Foreign Ministers of the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus. This meeting was dedicated to launching the overall process of Union enlargement.