EU Awareness Centre Statement on the 25th Anniversary of the Treaty of Nice

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Nice, the EU Awareness Centre commemorates a landmark moment in the history of European integration that paved the way for the European Union’s largest enlargement and strengthened the foundations of a united, democratic, and forward-looking Europe.

The Treaty of Nice was more than an institutional reform — it was a strategic decision to overcome the divisions of the past and to open the Union to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. It demonstrated that unity, solidarity, and shared values are the driving forces behind Europe’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

Today, as new countries aspire to join the European family, the spirit of Nice remains a powerful reminder that enlargement is not only a technical process but a historic mission to extend the area of freedom, democracy, and security across our continent.

The EU Awareness Centre reaffirms its commitment to promoting knowledge about the EU, supporting enlargement based on merit and values, and strengthening democratic resilience in all countries that see their future in Europe.