TEHRAN A one-day round table entitled "The European Union: Prospects and Challenges" was held at the Foreign Ministry's Institute of Political and International Studies here on Saturday, attended by a number of experts on European affairs.
During the meeting the French ambassador to Tehran said, "It is believed that in the future we will witness an increase in the number of European Union members, adding that accordingly decisions should be adopted to enhance the efficiency of the union." He said one of the issues that will possibly affect the efficiency of the union in the future is the number of small countries that will join the union.
The French ambassador further said that the European Union was primarily founded on economic goals, but that at present it enjoys strong influence in areas outside of the union.
"The structure of the union has not been completed and many more improvements should be considered for it," the ambassador stressed.
Also, the text of the speech by Dr. Silvi Golar, advisor of the French foreign minister for foreign policy planning, was read out by one of the speakers.
She said the most important challenge to be confronted by the European Union is the revolution that it must accomplish within itself to deal with its different aspects.
She said the European Union began with six members and had currently 15 members and is determined to increase the number to 30.