The candidate countries have worked hard to take over the acquis.

There is an existing acquis which must be built upon.

Allow me to say a few words on the economic criteria and the acquis.

We will not allow social and environmental acquis to be brought once more into question through a common investment strategy.

This acquis is not static, but must instead be developed.

Let us take as an example the Community acquis, the most taboo subject of all.

It does not deal with the adoption of the acquis by the candidate countries.

In March, the government presented its national programme for the adoption of the acquis.

I believe that the question we need to ask ourselves is how to guarantee the social acquis.

It therefore forms an integral part of the Community acquis.

The question is what a development of the Schengen acquis means.

What changes do you propose to the Community acquis in this regard?

I have always said that a step back from the existing acquis would be unacceptable.

We will have to ensure that this acquis is preserved.

All the acquis is taken into consideration in the progress reports on the candidate countries.

The national programme on the acquis contains various measures in the area of justice and home affairs.

This framework forms part of the Community acquis and everyone must respect it.

This amended acquis must, of course, be included in negotiations.

With an increasing number of states joining the acquis, the risk is heightened.

It is not simply their ability to implement the acquis - they can deliver on that.

I therefore ask myself, where in all this is the acquis communautaire?

Indeed, they have even passed measures which detract from the acquis of the single market.

It is not simply the acquis communautaire - they are doing very well on that.

Secondly, depending on its legal status, does it form part of the Community acquis or not?

The only acquis that our partners will accept is the reduction of prices.