"The idea of the union of Europe dates back to Roman times, but the intent that this process should occur through the volition of nations and not by subjugation is associated with the name of the 15th-century humanist from Rotterdam, Erasmus. He believed that in the course of development the United States of Europe could be established by the union of culture and civilization. Today it seems that the dream of this great scholar will indeed become a reality. Following the change of regime in 1990, all the political parties of the new freely elected National Assembly of Hungary agreed that, besides building democracy, market economy and the constitutional state, accession to the European Communities would be a priority in Hungarian policy. Accession negotiations began as early as December 1990, then a year later, on 16th December 1991, the Europe Agreement between Hungary and the EC was signed, which included the intention of Hungary’s accession. As a result of our country’s endeavours during the nineties, the people of Hungary decided in a referendum held on 12th April 2003 that Hungary should accede to the European Union. The stamp design of the block depicts a hand holding a quill and the twelve stars of the European Union to symbolise the signing of the accession treaty. The block is completed by additional decorative motifs: a detail of the Acropolis, referring to Athens, the place of the signing, and a detail of the Buda Castle, representing Hungary as the signatory. A special feature of the numbered block of stamps is the EU accession logo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which fluoresces in UV light. The elegant commemorative cover accompanying the block features the symbolic main motif of the stamp design. The motif of the commemorative postmark is the EU accession logo. "