Copenhagen, Denmark ? The European Union invited 10 new members to join it Friday in a historic opening to the former communist East designed to reunite the continent after decades of Cold War division.

The agreement was reached at the end of one of the most significant European meeting in decades. Years of intricate negotiations ended with warm embraces from leaders once separated by the Iron Curtain.

“Our people surely deserve this chance for the future generations,” said Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, who thanked Pope John Paul II for his support to Poland’s bid.

For Poland, the largest newcomer which held out longest to secure a good deal from the EU, the day was packed with significance, falling on the 21st anniversary of the imposition of martial law that stifled opposition to communist rule.

The expansion fixed for May 1, 2004, is the largest ever for the EU, an organization conceived in the 1950s to pacify a continent torn apart by World War II.

“When we look back at the history of Europe … and we reflect back on all the war and conflict, we realize that we are reuniting Europe,” British Prime Minister Tony Blair said. “It is a day we can truly be proud of.”

The expansion was secured only after two-days of tense summit negotiations as the candidates sought more money for their farmers and poor regions.

Before Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Malta can join the union, their citizens must approve membership in referendums next year.

French President Jacques Chirac, left, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin, center, and Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller propose a toast after a final working session at the European Union summit in Copenhagen. EU leaders agreed Friday on financial terms with 10 countries to bring them into the union.

“Europe is spreading its wings in freedom and in prosperity,” said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the meeting’s host, who compared the day’s significance to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

“Welcome to our new family. Our new Europe is born,” said Fogh Rasmussen, as leaders of all 25 nations posed for a group photograph.

In another move full of symbolism, EU leaders firmed up an offer to make Turkey the first Muslim nation to open membership talks if it meets criteria in a December 2004 review.

Wording that Turkey can enter “without delay” after that date was introduced late in the summit after lobbying by Blair. It appeased Turkish anger, which erupted after the summit stopped short of its demand of entry talks in 2003.

Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul at first denounced the EU for “prejudice against us.” Hours later he proclaimed “we have gotten a date a little further than we expected (but) we will continue on the road to the European Union.”

Once the new members are in the EU, their 75 million citizens will be free to trade, travel or live anywhere in the bloc – although some will face transitional measures for a few years.