At the Essen European Council (9–10 December 1994), the Twelve determine a pre-accession strategy to prepare the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) for the gradual incorporation of the Community acquis into their national legislation. From left to right: Klaus Kinkel (German Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union), Helmut Kohl (German Chancellor and President-in-Office of the European Council) and Theodor Waigel (German Finance Minister).