Brussels, 01/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the Commissioner responsible for agriculture, Franz Fischler signed the Multi-annual and Annual SAPARD Financing Agreements with Hungary. Even though the signing of these two agreements is an important step in the implementation of pre-accession agricultural assistance (SAPARD) for Hungary, it is still not the end of the procedure. Indeed, before the first SAPARD funding can be sent to Hungary, the agreements still have to be formally approved by the Fifteen. Then, the Commission will have to grant it accreditation to the Sapard Agency, body that, in Hungary, will be responsible for managing the funds.
On Thursday, the Commission recalled that the placing in operation of Sapard would firstly depend on the speed and effectiveness by which the Hungarian authorities can organise and put in place their national Sapard agency, in compliance with EU requirements. At a general level, Fischler welcomed the progress Hungary was in the process of achieving. "We are edging closer to the completion of the necessary steps for the transfer of funds under Sapard. I urge our partners in Hungary, and in the nine other applicant countries, to continue to demonstrate their commitment to the enlargement process and to the successful implementation of the Sapard initiative", said Fischler. The initial deadline for spending EU funds earmarked for Sapard in the 2000 budget is 31 December 2002. Mr. Fischler, however, announced that he would explore the possible justification and need for extending this deadline.