The steps which the acceding countries took towards joining the EU began shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communist regimes in central and eastern Europe. A special meeting of the European Council was convened in Dublin on 28 April 1990 during the Irish Presidency. It discussed the unification of Germany and the momentous developments elsewhere. At this European Council, chaired by Ireland, it was decided that discussion should begin on association agreements, later to be called Europe agreements, with the emerging democracies of central and eastern Europe. These agreements included trade and economic elements, as well as provision for political dialogue. All ten Europe agreements were signed by 1996. We can take a real sense of pride in this process. The process began in Dublin and it will finish here on 1 May 2004. In the interim, of course, it was the Irish people who turned the key that allowed the process to go on by voting Yes in the Nice treaty. Having turned the key, we will open the door next year.