One of the enduring monuments to the European Union is peace, stability and democracy among its members for more than 50 years. Peace does not just happen, it has to be worked on and maintained. Those Members who have visited Normandy will have seen the thousands of European war graves, or in Germany the vivid images of extermination camps – relics of the old order. Contrast this with visits to Brussels and Strasbourg and witness the new order. For me there is only one choice between these two alternatives – that is the EU and its institutions. It is in all our interests to ensure peace, stability and democracy is extended to these applicant countries.