Stockholm, 23/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Heads of State and Government of the EU and the European Commission held an exchange of views at the opening of the European Council in Stockholm. The exchange lasted about fifteen minutes and covered questions that concern the European public the most at the present time: threats to food safety following the mad cow crisis first of all, and now the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Conclusions of the European Council will reflect our solidarity towards Member States affected by this latest crisis, affirmed Prime Minister Göran Persson, according to Secretary of State Lars Danielsson speaking to the press. The president of the European Council, said Mr Danielsson, also insisted on the need to take into account the concerns not only of farmers but also of consumers, to place emphasis on food safety and to confirm the trust that the Fifteen place in the national and European authorities, and mainly in the Commission and the Standing Veterinary Committee.
Still according to the indications given by Mr Larsson, British Prime Minister took part during this brief exchange of views. He recognised that the situation is "very serious" and hoped he would receive help on veterinary matters. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stressed that solidarity is "very important", and expressed his "full trust" in the "very effective" work of the Veterinary Committee. The Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok also insisted on the importance of "solidarity" between Member States and affirmed that the Commission must continue to play a central role in the efforts aimed at bringing these crises under control. The Summit is not the right occasion for launching into a discussion on the future of CAP, but account should be taken of such crises when, in 2002-2003, we move on to revision of the financial perspectives, he added. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel also placed emphasis on the central role to be played by the European Commission, and said he hoped that there would be a decision as soon as possible on the seat of the future Food Safety Authority. This was also the wish expressed by Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (we recall that Helsinki is one of the candidate towns).
Nobody asked for money, no-one asked for changes to be made to the financial forecasts, said Mr Larsson in response to questions. The countries affected hoped they would receive "veterinary resources", he said.