29 April 2004

Enlargement celebrations at University

Photo opportunity: 5.15pm, Friday 30 April, Baxter Conference Suite, Tower Building, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee

From Prague to Warsaw and Dundee, celebrations will get underway when ten new countries join the European Union on May 1 2004. The University of Dundee's Contemporary European Studies department is joining in the festivities by holding events including an EU themed party on Friday 30 April where Ian Hudghton MEP will make an address.

Staff and student representatives from the 15 current member states and the 10 countries joining the European bloc will bring with them national symbols of their own countries to the cheese and wine event to be held in the University’s Baxter Conference suite, 5.00-7.00pm.

As part of the celebrations, people encouraged to find out more about the EU following the Prime Minister's announcement on a European referendum earlier this week will have an opportunity to do so. European exhibitions are on display in the University's tower foyer and main library until May 10, the day after official Europe Day on Sunday May 9 where information on Europe, the EU and enlargement will be available.

The acceding countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia officially join the existing 15 EU member states on May 1 2004.

Charlotte Lythe, Director Contemporary European Studies explains, "Enlargement is a momentous step for the European Union and in particular the new member states. We are delighted that so many staff and students from the member states and the acceding countries wanted to be involved in the department’s celebrations."

For further information please contact Charlotte Lythe on 01382 344379

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk