Last week's sensible compromises, while they represent a comprehensive victory for Europe's small states, also mark the best way forward. They provide the most attractive welcome to the new states hoping to enter the European Union. I welcome the positive result of the Polish referendum last weekend. However, I do not believe the Polish people who voted overwhelmingly in favour of the European project last weekend would do so if they felt their country was about to become part of a united states of Europe. The Polish people, the peoples of the former Soviet bloc, the Irish and many others look forward to playing a meaningful role within the new structures of Europe but they wish to do so as fully fledged independent countries. I welcome the fact that the new draft treaty makes it very clear the European Union will be a union of states and citizens and that its powers will be conferred on it by the member states. As Giscard d'Estaing said some weeks ago, democratic legitimacy is enshrined in our national parliaments.