On 18 November 2002 in Brussels, the General Affairs and External Relations Council considers the path to take in order to conclude the accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia in time for the Copenhagen European Council, due to be held on 12 and 13 December, in accordance with the decisions taken at the Brussels European Council in October. Having taken into account the discussions held at Ministerial level with these countries on the margins of the Council, the Council sets the date for the accession of these countries to the Union at 1 May 2004. The photo shows Kristiina Ojuland, Estonian Foreign Minister, discussing with Per Stig Moller, Danish Foreign Minister.