1.   And although the embrace of market economics is generally weaker the farther east one travels, all the candidate countries seem to be shifting toward such policies.

2.   As for timing, that is now up to the candidate countries.

3.   Aznar has rejected allegations that Europe is seeking to seal its borders to anybody from outside, which the candidate countries of Eastern Europe fear also means them.

4.   Senior American officials on visits to potential candidate countries make promises on behalf of the alliance that are then translated into firm commitments.

5.   The most serious focus of instability is in the Balkans, not around the candidate countries of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

6.   The public in the three candidate countries is much more divided on the question of membership in NATO than proponents are willing to admit.

7.   The proposal drew criticism from candidate countries, which said it would reduce them to a second-class status in the union.

8.   Poland, the largest of the candidate countries, has a sizable agriculture sector.

9.   Pique also said Spain would enthusiastically pursue negotiations with a dozen candidate countries.

10.   Poland has said the EU enlargement process was moving too slowly because of the large number of candidate countries.