A related issue is the date for the formal entry into the European Union of the candidate countries, 1 May 2004. It would not be reasonable, even with consultation and accession countries sitting in on the debate, to conclude on significant issues while such states are not full members. An issue of timing also arises. If a state is represented at a meeting but not a member and is asked to support an issue, there are questions as to whether that opinion is a true reflection of the state's views as it does not have a veto. The question of decisions being made before 1 May 2004 in terms of the final draft of the document should be borne in mind. There could be serious repercussions in candidate countries which are holding referenda on accession this year. If they cannot guarantee to their electorates that they will be full partners in the decisions on a new constitutional treaty, they could have serious problems.