Danish Prime Minister Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen made a dramatic appeal to 10 candidate countries for European Union membership to accept a final offer or risk delaying the bloc's historic enlargement for many years.
Speaking at a news conference before the start of a landmark EU summit, Mr Rasmussen said: "I'm not saying it's a question of now or never. But it's a question of now or postponement for years, maybe for many years."
Responding specifically to Polish demands for extra EU cash for the mainly poor, former communist east European candidates, Mr Rasmussen said some member states thought he had already been too generous and added: "At the moment, I have no more money."
He said historic decisions were within reach to unite Europe and bury forever the continent's Cold War dividing lines. He voiced confidence that all 10 candidates would conclude accession agreements in Copenhagen to join in May 2004.